Dumfries and Galloway Council are updating their Regional Parking Strategy and, as part of that, are considering applying to take over Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) powers from Police Scotland.

21 out of Scotland's 32 local authorities already have DPE powers but nearly 40% of those are running at a financial loss! Those regions running at a loss are most alike to Dumfries and Galloway with regard to population and geographical spread.

Section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 provides that any deficit accrued by a local authority as a result of the operation of DPE must be made good out of the local authority's general fund. Therefore,  if D&G Council take over DPE and run at a loss (which is likely), the deficit will have to be recompensed from elsewhere in their budget.

Furthermore, D&G Council admitted at a 'Community Conversations' meeting at Castle Douglas Town Hall on Wednesday 27th September, that no financial feasibility study or financial predictions have yet been completed for the project, to show whether or not it might run at a profit or a loss, despite asking the community to complete a survey on whether they want DPE to be to be transferred to the council! Surely they can't expect the community to give an informed opinion on something they haven't actually been given information on?!

The purpose of this petition is to let Dumfries and Galloway Council and the elected members of the Communities Committee know that, whilst we  acknowledge that there is a need for improvements to disabled parking, an increased number of disabled parking bays and dropped kerbs, the vast majority of Castle Douglas residents and business owners DO NOT want DPE powers to be transferred the Council,  nor parking charges to be introduced to Castle Douglas under any circumstances. 

Please sign if you agree and share as much possible.  Thank you!

Please note - the results of this petition will be shared with Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Communities Committee.  By signing, you are granting permission to share your details with both of these parties.