WIRRAL Council is reviewing plans to introduce new parking permit charges following backlash from three Labour councillors who felt their residents were being unfairly targeted by the increase.

Despite there being no overall majority of councillors, Labour is the largest political party in the local authority.

At the same time as announcing a public consultation in September seeking feedback on plans to introduce charges in 22 free car parks and roads in three coastal areas across the borough, the council said it also planned to increase charges by the end of October for areas with parking permits and car parks that currently have charges.

The local authority initially said it would be bringing the new charges in on October 28. However notices displayed on street posts were later taken down following backlash from Liscard’s three councillors where there are reportedly around 2,000 permits.

Under original plans, parking permits could have cost £60 for residents and £40 for visitors. However Wirral Council’s director of neighbourhoods Jason Gooding said the increase had “clearly been the cause of much dissatisfaction amongst those potentially affected” and apologised for notices he said were incorrect about a October 28 start date.

He said it was always intended for councillors to make the decision, adding: “Having carried out further investigation into the operation of our residents’ parking schemes in Wirral with the support of legal colleagues, it transpires that there is inconsistency in how schemes are managed across Wirral, due to them being introduced at different times over the last 50 years and using different legislation. Clearly a consistent and fair approach is required.”

In an email to councillors seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said: “Officers will bring a report early in the new year asking to begin a process aimed at developing a new, fair and consistent approach to residents’ parking zones, which will include a requirement to fully consult with residents before any changes are made.”

Liscard councillors Janette Williams, James Laing, and Graeme Cooper have welcomed the news, adding: “We have had to fight for the past month to get council officers to even accept that they had made a mistake, let alone finally tell people what is happening. 

Council officers have ignored residents in all of this. As Liscard Labour councillors, we have made it clear to the council’s most senior officers that this is unacceptable.

“Regardless of a belated admission of error from council officers, many Liscard residents have told us that they see this whole sorry saga as an attempt to sneak massive increases through without any public consultation. Council officers should know that their actions have consequences and that we, as Labour councillors, will always represent our residents’ views.

“We are ready to intervene again if officers do not listen to and act upon the concerns that we and many residents have raised.”

The change was already hinted at an environment, climate emergency and transport committee on October 21. Labour committee chair Cllr Liz Grey said the situation was “far from ideal” and corrections needed to be made and confirmed the public would be asked for feedback on the proposals.