Missing Money in the Council's parking account?

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 8th Jun 2007

Lib Dem Councillor Gary Malcolm asking why the council has frozen the Parking Account

At the recent Acton Area Committee meeting (6th June) councillor Malcolm who was asking questions about Acton-based Control Parking Zone schemes (CPZs) found out details concerning that the council have frozen the Parking account.

This means that no CPZ schemes previously agreed can now be implemented as well as 'Minor Parking Schemes' in Southfield or Acton - but also across the whole borough!

When Councillor Malcolm questioned the councillor in charge of transport, Vlod Barchuk, he got an assurance that after the Audit is completed (apparently in about 3 weeks) he will receive details of the financial investigation and its conclusions.

Cllr Gary Malcolm, Lib Dem Transport spokesperson, said: "The Lib Dems know the parking account is a very large account, of many millions of pounds, and to freeze its spending, it appears that either it is being managed poorly or perhaps something dodgy has gone on."

Gary added: "Before the meeting residents raised CPZ scheme queries with me about Southfield and Acton. The council is now sadly making them wait again. Something is not right and residents want answers not delays! I hope the council is not sneakily transferring money from the Parking account to somewhere else, to cover a financial black whole or to fund a large media stunt about a new policy."