Oxford City Council Pass Motion to Write to Oxfordshire County Council About Parking Permits

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24890957.oxford-council-ask-clarity-scratch-card-permits/ 

On Monday, January 27 councillors discussed the petition matter at the full council.

The original motion, which was put forward by the Oxford Independent Group, called for the digital system to be scrapped and to revert back to scratch card permits.

Labour councillor Simon Ottino asked for the leader of the city council to seek clarification on the exact criteria for residents to apply for paper permits, as well as confirmation that the change will be monitored closely so that “discrimination doesn’t occur”. This amended version of the motion was then passed unanimously by the city council.

Councillor Ajaz Rehman, who proposed the original motion, said: “The county council again has imposed a change to all our residents.

“This is just another indictment on how they have a total disregard for our residents.”

“We have something that works really well, […] so why change something that’s not broken?”

Councillor Dr Amar Latif, who seconded the motion said: “While I don’t oppose the use of some form of digital permits, there are several issues with the county’s new system, which is largely exclusively digital.

“The county has recently released some mutterings that if people can prove a hardship, we will still allow them to have the old scratch card system.

“But there’s no clarity on what level of proof is needed, or what’s the level of hardship that needs to be proven by residents.” 
 
Mr Ottino said he could not support the original motion because the “facts are muddled” and could cause greater concern for residents.

Councillor Nigel Chapman, who spoke in support of the amendment, said: “There is a need for greater clarity about the criteria for which these permits would be allowed to use on a paper basis, and we do need to hold the county council accountable for the proper execution of this scheme.”

Councillor Chris Smowton pointed out that changing to digital permits would save taxpayers money by going paperless where possible for the individual.

He added that "continuing to burn public money" on printing paper permits when many residents are able to use a digital system "could not be justified". 

Susan Brown, leader of the city council, said she previously wrote to leader of the county council, Liz Leffman, as well as councillor Andrew Gant and councillor Judy Roberts, and raised concerns about the proposals.

She added the digital system “was unnecessarily complicated” and confirmed she would write again to the leader of the county council and cabinet members if the amended motion passed.