Car park tax ruled out in Fife until at least 2022

It was announced last month that motorists who drive to work might have to pay hundreds of pounds a year for a parking space under proposals in this year’s Scottish budget.

The budget deal agreed allows councils to introduce a Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) but Fife Council’s administration has agreed to rule out the tax in Fife until at least the next council election in 2022. 

At a full council meeting earlier this month, the Fife Conservative Group proposed a motion inviting the co-leaders “to rule out introducing the car park tax in future years” and asked them to write to their counterparts in other councils urging them to do likewise.

However, the co-leaders of Fife Council declined the call and said it wasn’t their place to tell other local authorities what to do.

Conservative Group leader Councillor Dave Dempsey said: “In our motion, we commended the coalition for ruling out the Car Park Tax in Fife for the coming year, asked them to extend that indefinitely and to write to other councils urging them to do likewise. 

“That last point is important as nearly a quarter of car and van trips to work that start in Fife end up elsewhere. Edinburgh is the most popular destination.

“While the ruling group declined to put pen to paper, they did rule out the tax in Fife through to the next council elections in 2022. 

“Technically, that’s the most they can do for now but it gives hope that Fife will never see this complicated, bureaucratic imposition on the working population. With a bit of luck, the whole idea will be in the bin very soon.”

The WPL would see employers pay an annual tax to local authorities for every parking space they provide for employees.

Employers could then choose whether to pass on the cost to their staff.

Council co-leader David Ross said at the council meeting: “This isn’t a Scottish Government tax, it’s power for local authorities if they think it’s appropriate. There are concerns about this approach.

“In terms of Fife, I would recognise that circumstances in other councils regarding things like parking congestion and environmental concerns are different. 

"I wouldn’t want to presume to tell them how to approach these issues.

“I thought we had committed not to impose this measure in Fife because of the nature of Fife and lack of alternative public transport. We are committed until the next local election.”

Responding after, Liberal Democrats councillor James Calder said: “While it is positive that the administration has been able to rule out the car park tax, I have my doubts this had anything to do with the Conservative motion and more down to the fact that there is a majority of councillors from parties who are opposed to it.”

Cllr Andrew Verrecchia said: “The charge has been ruled out for the life of the administration and we can do no more. 

“We have no influence on what other councils do and the Conservative Group know that. 

“This is yet another instance of the Tories trying to portray themselves as the good guys when in fact they are the architects of the many hardships felt by ordinary people on a daily basis.”

Cllr Alice McGarry added: “The Tories’ faux outrage about a non-existent tax is as laughable as it is ridiculous. 

“If the power is devolved to councils, they will decide whether to levy a charge on employers – NOT on employees. 

“The current administration of Fife Council sees no need to impose a parking levy on employers who provide car park spaces for their employees in Fife. 

“Other councils, particularly city councils, concerned about city centre pollution may take a different approach.”