"I don't know what I can do" leader of council tells traders over parking woes (From Times Series)

"I don't know what I can do" leader of council tells North Finchley traders over parking woes

2:50pm Friday 2nd December 2011 in News By Kate Jenkinson

TRADERS are outraged after the leader Barnet Council said there was nothing he could do about parking issues when confronted by business owners at a North Finchley forum last night.

Councillor Richard Cornelius and highways manager Neil Richards faced an onslaught of criticisms to recent parking changes from traders who claim business has rapidly declined since the change to pay-by-phone was introduced.

Tempers flared when Cllr Cornelius explained: “I’m listening, but I haven’t got any intention to do anything else other than that.”

“I’ve heard you and it’s obviously affected me. I don’t know what I can do. I don’t know if I can do anything.”

Many exclaimed it was a “waste of time” to discuss the matter with the council, some asking why they attended.

Cllr Cornelius added: “What we will do is listen to what we are being told.”

Business owner Helen Michael said: “We are wasting our time – you’ve said in no uncertain terms that you’re not going to do anything. We are begging for our businesses, for our livelihoods. Please do something.”

Cllr Cornelius said that 115,000 people had already registered for the pay-by-phone system, but admitted there was a lack of publicity of the changes before they were introduced. He said advertising in this weeks’ Times Series newspapers as a step to try and rectify that.

Cllr Cornelius said: “We have listened to the fact that there is a problem. That there are people who don’t use mobile phones, or who won’t, we are reacting to this and we recognise that it was a mistake and remiss of us not to think of that sooner.”

He said vouchers and scratch cards were being introduced for people who cannot pay by phone.

He added: “We do need the revenue and if not from there, it will have to come from somewhere else. We are in a difficult financial situation.

“It is not a decision that is mine solely, it is a decision taken by a group.”

Chairman of the meeting Gary Ince, of consultany firm North London Business, asked Cllr Cornelius if parking can be reviewed, considering the impact it is having on businesses.

Cllr Cornelius replied: “I hear what is being said and I’ll think about it, but I don’t think there is anything that can be done at this stage.”

“We need some time to let the new scheme bed in.”