Malpas Parish Council Response to statement made by Mr Chris Whitehurst on social media on Monday 3th June 2024:-
There are a number of inaccuracies in the statement made on social media on Monday 3rd June 2024 by ex-Malpas Parish Councillors Mr Chris Whitehurst and Mr Adrian Waddelove.
Firstly, it is disappointing that the statement does not indicate Mr Chris Whitehurst’s personal commitment to an alternative car parking option.
Mr Chris Whitehurst is Chairman of the Recreation Ground Committee. On behalf of the trustees, Mr Chris Whitehurst has submitted planning application to CWaC for a car park for up to 24 spaces on the Recreation Ground. This application was submitted in March 2023.
Due to there being a conflict of interests Mr Chris Whitehurst has had to declare an interest and withdraw from the meeting when Malpas Parish Councillors discussed the proposed car park to the rear of Huxley’s
Malpas Parish Council is currently in negotiations with CWaC regarding the proposed car park to the rear of Huxley’s.
The negotiations have been ongoing for over eight years, during which time Mr Chris Whitehurst was involved but is not currently due to having a conflict of interests as stated above.
In September 2023, Malpas Parish Council agreed to ask the Ward Councillor Rachel Williams to take the lead on the car park project and present agreed parish council decisions to the relevant departments at CWaC.
The Ward Councillor and the Clerk have held two meetings with CWaC regarding negotiations for the proposed car park. The notes from both meetings were circulated to Malpas Parish Councillors and then were discussed in a part 2 at meetings of Malpas Parish Council.
Contrary to the statement by Mr Chris Whitehurst, there has been no formal agreement reached between Malpas Parish Council and CWaC regarding the proposed car park.
It is totally misleading to state that it is the community that will be funding the proposed car park. Instead, it is Community Infrastructure Levy money that is being used to finance the proposed car park.
The Community Infrastructure Levy came into force in April 2010. It allows local authorities in England and Wales to raise funds from developers undertaking new building projects in their area. The money can be used to fund a wide range of infrastructure that is needed as a result of development (n.b. this money cannot be used for operating costs for Malpas Parish Council).
Malpas Parish Council has received a total sum of £208,953.17 in respect of Community Infrastructure Levy.
This money can only be used towards improving the infrastructure of Malpas.
Malpas Parish Councillors are very much aware that the provision of additional car parking has been a top priority for residents and for Malpas Parish Council.
It is a real bonus that Malpas Parish Council may be able to provide that parking and at NO cost to the taxpayer as the precept is NOT being used to pay for the proposed car park. Costs for the carpark and instillation have not increased in the last 5 years
All dealings regarding the car park in the last year have been correctly managed this being verified by ChALC who are an association of local council who promote the rights and interests of town and parish councils.
The Council would welcome feedback; residents are welcome to attend Malpas Parish Council meetings. These usually take place on the last Thursday of the month at 7.00 pm in the High Street Church.
