More than 200 car parking spaces are being set aside for council staff in Perth city centre
Spaces are generally at a premium in the city centre and parking specifically granted for council employees was yesterday described as “excessive”.
The Courier has discovered that a total of 217 spaces have been set aside for Perth and Kinross Council employees throughout the city centre, including 12 spaces at council headquarters in Perth High Street, which are available on an “as and when required” basis.
And the figures, which were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, show that of these spaces, 31 are allocated for council staff at the Atrium, Perth.
The statistics reveal that council staff can park in various city centre locations in Perth, ranging from the Canal Street car park to beside Perth Sheriff Court and also at Blackfriars.
However, the biggest allocation of 85 spaces is reserved for the Kinnoull Street car park, which is run by the private firm Smart Parking.
Parking in Perth city centre has been a thorny issue for some time, with the majority of streets subject to paying by meters and often under strict observation by parking attendants.
Councillor Alexander Stewart, one of the representatives of the Perth City South ward, said he was “alarmed” that the council is paying for 85 parking spaces at the Kinnoull Street site, and stated he feels the allocation of parking for council workers needs looked at.
“I appreciate that we do require emergency cover in some departments such as social work, housing and education, or even for carpooling, but to have so many I would suggest is excessive.
“It needs reviewed and investigated because this is being paid for by the taxpayer when we have car parks in Canal Street and South Inch, which the council own and operate.”
Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, added: “The fact that over 200 parking spaces are being used by council staff will surprise many local taxpayers.”
However, a spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council defended the policy.
She said: “Parking spaces which are taken up by council staff for essential usage, which are paid for, make up a small percentage of the overall total. As a result, this has no impact on other users.
“There is not a shortage of parking spaces within Perth city centre. On weekdays, there is approximately 40% capacity in council-owned car parks, taking into account council usage.”
The spaces granted are: 85 at Kinnoull Street car park, 47 at Blackfriars, 31 at The Atrium, 12 in High Street and 12 in Tay Street, nine at Canal Street car park, five in Mill Street, four at Guard Vennel and four at the sheriff court, three at Horsecross and George Inn Lane and one in Burt’s Close and one in Watergate.