Edward has joined Melton Borough Council Conservative Group in calling for answers and transparency from Melton Borough Council's Labour/ Independent leadership, following recent reports about a serious administrative error in the process of increasing car parking charges for the 2025/26 financial year, meaning that for three weeks, until 13th June, the Council is unable to charge drivers for parking in its Melton car parks.
While the unexpected three-week period of free parking may temporarily boost footfall for local businesses, this error risks carrying serious financial consequences for the Council's budget, and ultimately for Melton Borough residents as council tax payers. The lost revenue, coupled with the cost of rectifying the error and conducting investigations, risks burdening taxpayers, and could threaten funding for vital local services. With reserves at MBC already stretched thin, residents deserve answers and accountability.
Edward said: "Melton borough residents deserve answers and clarity about how this error was made, exactly what the total lost revenue is alongside other costs resulting from the error, and what Melton Borough Council's leadership intend to do to ensure local residents don't pay the price in higher taxes or cuts to services. I join with Cllr Ronan Bowne, leader of MBC Conservative Group, and Conservative Councillors in calling for all the facts to be laid out, and for the leadership of MBC to take responsibility for what has happened."
