Meeting tonight with Waverley BC andSouth West Surrey Disabled Alliance Network (SWSDAN)

SOUTH WEST SURREY DISABLED GROUP WELCOMES WAVERLEY STATEMENT South West Surrey Disabled Alliance Network (SWSDAN) supported by Surrey Coalition of Disabled People which represent the interests of the disabled community in Surrey welcomes the statement issued by Waverley Borough Council (WBC) on 19th April that the implementation of the parking charges has been suspended whilst accessibility concerns are reviewed. We look forward to a meeting that has been arranged with WBC officers that will be held on Thursday 27th April which will be attended by David Beaman and Roger Blishen (Chair and Vice Chair of SWSDAN) and Yasmin Broome representing Surrey Coalition of Disabled People who will also be taking the Minutes of this meeting at which these concerns will be discussed. The proposals to implement parking charges for Blue Badge holders has generated considerable concern and distress in the disabled community and an online petition has collected 394 signatures in just over a week (https://www.change.org/p/waverley-borough-council-help-vulnerable-disabled-get-a-fair-deal-from-waverley-carparks). A comparative analysis (attached) of parking charges in Surrey’s 10 other Borough Councils and 3 neighbouring Hampshire Borough Councils (East Hampshire, Hart and Rushmoor) reveals that only two (Rushmoor and Epsom and Ewell) charges blue badge holders for parking and even in these two authorities some concession is offered – in Rushmoor holders of blue badges get double the amount of time paid for (2 hours for the cost of 1 hour) whilst in Epsom and Ewell the first hour is free with all blue badge holders required to pay for the minimum charging period. In a third authority (Surrey Heath) blue badge holders have to pay full parking charges to use Camberley Town Centre car park although parking in all other surface car parks remains free. The comparative analysis reveals that none of Waverley’s neighbouring authorities differentiate between those holders of blue badges who receive certain benefits and those who do not receive certain benefits in determining who should receive free parking. Such means testing is demeaning, divisive, discriminatory and unfair since many who do not receive these certain benefits mainly due to age are more disabled than those who do receive these certain benefits. These disabled people have real difficulties in using parking meters and are unable to use public transport. Whilst we understand and appreciate that Waverley like all other local authorities is facing reducing grants from central government and having to find other ways of raising revenue and reducing costs it is worth noting that East Hampshire which has actually reduced its Council Tax charge has still managed to maintain free parking for all blue badge holders both residents and non residents. In all other aspects of decision making WBC stresses the need for public consultation with all interested stakeholders but in this particular case there was no consultation with any disabled organisation. If consultation had taken place all the problems with the proposals would have been identified and the present distress that has been generated could have been avoided. ENDS