Brent Council claim CCTV parking enforcement ban will cost them £2.2m
One of the council's CCTV car parked in a disabled bay in Harlesden - Credit: Archant
A ban on the use of all CCTV parking enforcement willcost Brent Council £2.2million in lost revenue, town hall bosses claim.
According to a report by the council’s chief finance officer, the new legislation, demographic trends and local policy intentions have resulted in their predicted budget deficit soared by £4m to £57.3m.
The admission has sparked fears sweeping cuts will be made across council services in the borough to plug the financial blackhole.
Sujuta Aurora, of pressure group Brent Fightback told the Times she believed the council is in a budget crisis and will be forced to make cuts to stem the deficit.
She continued: “These cuts are going to have a devastating effect on council services and will impact on all residents, particularly vulnerable ones.
“It’s a great shame that the council is choosing to wring their hands and implement these cuts, rather than join us in mounting a campaign against them.”
Under current plans by the department for communities and local government, motorists will no longer be able to be targeted by the controversial cars and will also be given a 15 minutes overstay period on street parking.
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The council have also blamed a new Care Bill claiming it will add and extra £1m to the growing budget deficit.
If adopted, contributions individuals make for the cost of their care will be capped at £72,000 in their lifetime; while the rights and payment carers receive will be bolstered.
A predicted surge in the borough’s population by 5,000 to 322,000 in the next four years will also put additional pressure on children and adult services in the borough they claim.
Blaming central government for slashing their grant, Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said: “We are being honest and upfront about the council’s budget position.
“The financial choices we need to make now will shape the Brent of the future. As a listening council, we are engaging with residents to make sure we prioritise spending to support those most in need.”
The council are currently holding a consultation into how local public services should develop amid budget constrains.
For more information visit www.brent.gov.uk/boroughplan.
