As you are aware, we have been working on the Town Centre Worker Scheme, which we proposed to East Herts Council. We have an important update to share with you.
This scheme was collaboratively developed by our team and officers at East Herts Council to address various objectives. It aims to support town centre workers by reducing the cost of parking, assist business owners and managers in recruiting and retaining staff, activate an underused car park, and reduce congestion in centrally located car parks that are frequently operating at full capacity, ensuring they remain accessible to shoppers and visitors.
Following our meeting with Cllr Tim Hoskin on 3 October, he expressed his intention to review the points we raised and discuss them with officers before our next meeting. However, before this subsequent meeting could take place, Cllr John Wyllie proposed that the scheme be presented at a full council meeting on 18 October. This involved a decision by a vote from all councillors on whether the scheme should be implemented or not.
During this meeting, Cllr Wyllie proposed the motion, which was seconded by Cllr Devonshire. Cllr Ben Crystall, leader of the council, spoke against the motion on behalf of Cllr Tim Hoskin, who was unable to attend. Cllr Crystall expressed the belief that while the plan may seem fair on the surface, Cllr Hoskin saw the potential for an even more effective approach that could benefit a significantly larger group of people in Bishop’s Stortford and beyond.
Several other councillors voiced their support for the scheme, and we would like to extend our appreciation to Cllr David Jacobs for his backing. Nevertheless, it became evident from some comments that not all councillors fully comprehend the complexities of the parking and traffic situation in Bishop’s Stortford.
The vote was conducted, resulting in 17 in favour and 24 against, with 2 abstentions. Regrettably, this was not the outcome we had hoped for. However, our commitment to enhancing parking for all town centre users remains unwavering, as we strive to ensure Bishop’s Stortford continues to prosper.
We have already requested an urgent meeting with Cllr Hoskin to gain a better understanding of his alternative ideas. We will keep you updated as soon as we have more information. Rest assured; we are diligently working towards achieving the improvements needed.
