Car parking at work - new local tax

[maviczap]

So what do you think?

£250 per car parking space for any car park with over 11 spaces.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/...k-at-work.html

[Viney]

Does that include specific motorcycle parking spaces? If so, our company are buggered. We have 45 motorcycle parking spaces and 10 car parking spaces, and 250 cycle 'parking' spaces

If a company were to paint over/remove the parking bay lines so there were no distinguishing markings to signify a parking bay would they still be liable for the charge ?

[timwilky]

So my Knutsford site has space for about 1,000 cars. The site I am at today in Preston has space for about 800 cars. the thing is there is only about 50% occupation. I guess this is simply councils saying we are taxing you (business) by the number of staff you might employ and dressing it up as "Green".

If they go ahead with this, then they should be forced into the green credential and the money raised ring fenced for the provision of public transport to that site.

Do they not also realise that a large employment base in an an area also generates its own local economy in terms of food and other service. Look in the centre of Trafford park. there were barbers that opened at 6am, betting shops, dry cleaners, numerous snack/sandwich shops, small hardware shops, even a nursery that ran extended hours in the recognition that parents may work shifts and not 9-5.

Originally Posted by timwilky

So my Knutsford site has space for about 1,000 cars. The site I am at today in Preston has space for about 800 cars. the thing is there is only about 50% occupation. I guess this is simply councils saying we are taxing you (business) by the number of staff you might employ and dressing it up as "Green".

If they go ahead with this, then they should be forced into the green credential and the money raised ring fenced for the provision of public transport to that site.

+1

100% agree with your last statement there. If they are saying it's "green" then they should be using the money for something "green" and since public transport is shocking, they could be spending the dosh on that.

They won't. But they should.

[timwilky]

so our car parks

At Preston

and at Knutsford


can you imagine the sort of unfair revenue councils would want to stick companies with a bill for.

The issue is also whilst there may be a reasonable size car park. in the current cliamte sites built for 1000's now employ 100's

[Bri w]

So how does a company, who've already structured their budgets, pay for this?

£5 per week charge to the employee?
Dig up/fence off part of the car park?
Increase the price of the product it sells?
Reduce the number off staff?
Will Council offices be liable for the same charges?

It may be labelled as a Company Tax but can any Company afford to take the hit in the current economic climate?

This is another indirect tax on the individual, and the Council balancing their books after being told they can't raise council tax by silly%.

Crazy tax and difficult to enforce. My company has a big waste land which 25 vehicles park on most mornings how is that going to be enforced. It aint parking spaces so who knows. And if this doesn't apply to councils i will be annoyed.

[maviczap]

Yep, some of you have thought the same as I do. How is it going to be enforced, and who will pay?

You can't charge staff who don't use the car park, so how is it going to be paid for

I'm only in my office every other week, so why should I pay £250 for a whole year.

I'll drop the wife off & she can do the same for me or we'll get mopeds as there's no mention of taxing motorcycle spaces

[Bri w]

What about supermarkets, or the likes of Blue Water/Trafford Centre/Metro Centre?

And if, as Tim alludes to, the business no longer has the 1000 staff but still has a 1000 spaces, do the remaining 250 staff pay £1000 or does a failing(?) business pick up an even bigger bill?

Wouldn't surprise me to see it happen. And for those that don't think the employer will pass on the costs, just about every hospital in England is charging their staff for parking.