Cornwall Councillor denies car parks are being sold off

A Cornwall Council Cabinet member has denied that the authority plans to sell off its car parks by transferring 28 sites to one of its arm's-length companies.

Olly Monk, the councillor for Newquay Trenance, was responding to claims by the new campaign group 'Sort It Out, Don’t Sell It Off,' accusing them of political motives.

He has sought to allay concerns over the possible introduction of ANPR at the car parks, six of which are in Newquay and include Tregunnel Hill, Dane Road, and Belmont Road. Campaigners and residents have raised fears that leasing the car parks to Cormac, a private entity owned by the council, could pave the way for private operators to take over operations, potentially leading to the introduction of number plate recognition cameras.

Speaking to Radio Newquay, Councillor Monk offered reassurance on ANPR:

"Cornwall Council has a reputation to think of and we would not use a company unless that company was very sympathetic to the existing parking regime and charges that are being implemented by Cornwall Council. So any operator that operates on behalf of Cormac or Cornwall Council will have it very firmly written into any contracts about the way that they operate, about the way that they interpret the rules and how they issue tickets, because it's not in anyone's interest that we get a really aggressive operator of these car parks and I'm determined to do that," he said.

He also said he and fellow Newquay Cornwall councillors want existing winter and overnight parking and charging structures to remain the same.

Campaigners argue that transferring car parks to private operators could lead to increased parking fees, reduced access, and a loss of local control over what they describe as vital community assets. 

Sort It Out, Don’t Sell It Off  warn that the proposed changes could have far-reaching economic, social, and environmental impacts across Cornwall. Jessie Joe Jacobs, from the group, is urging residents and businesses to participate in the council's consultation, which closes tomorrow.

“This isn’t just a financial transaction - it’s about people’s lives and our communities,” said Jacobs. “Cornwall Council’s decision to consider handing over these car parks to a private company could be detrimental to local businesses, increase the cost of living in Cornwall, and make our towns and beaches less accessible to everyone. Many councils up and down the country would not consider doing this, so why is Cornwall Council?”

PRESS PLAY below to hear more from Councillor Olly Monk.

To listen again to Jessie Joe Jacobs from Sort It Out, Don’t Sell It Off, click here.