South Hams District Council is launching an undisguised attack on the local businesses of South Brent which in turn will irreparably damage this unique community. SHDC have not consulted residents of the village and have announced a decision to introduce car parking charges without any business analysis and therefore potential impact upon the community having taking place. South Brent is one of th
e last remaining villages surviving with small outlets supplying almost everything the parish needs not to mention an extremely important centre for a vibrant and close-knit community. SHDC have singled out this community and one other village and are implementing parking charges in order to make up the shortfall in the South Hams' budget. At a time when the government is claiming to support local communities and has accepted Mary Portas' recommendations for free parking in all town (let alone village) centres SHDC have decided they know better and are implementing parking charges which could be critical for the survival of this community's independent businesses. An estimated 30% of South Brent households were represented at a public meeting called by South Brent Parish Council which took place this evening. Councillor Jonathan Hawkins attended the meeting with two officers as representatives for SHDC. He insisted he was "there to listen" yet he managed to enrage the normally mild-mannered residents of South Brent with his patronising attitude and apparent lack of support for the local community. The community was then told that should they not like the charges they must find a solution for SHDC deficit in the budget. SHDC have not consulted the local community and the concerns raised by members of the Parish Council, residents of South Brent and SHDC's own Scrutiny Committee have been ignored. Tonight we were told the 'consultation' taking place at the meeting insisted upon by South Brent Parish Council was to discuss what the charges will be, not whether they might be implemented. Fundamentally the decision has been made by SHDC and we must fight to save our community and the injustice of this undemocratic decision made by those who are meant to represent us.
