Totton Town Council will be fighting proposals that put the provision of car parking disabled bays at risk.
Members heard that officers working for the Valuation Department were insisting that the Town Council pay more tax as a result of marking out new bays on the town council car park, some of which provide access for disabled people using the town’s dialysis unit.
However, the Town Council does not charge for car parking and would be set to lose out if asked to pay more.
It could mean an additional business rates bill of up to £1,000.
Councillor David Harrison condemned the actions of the Valuation Office. He said “This sounds like something out of Alice and Wonderland.
The Valuation Officers know we don’t charge for car parking and the car parking space is exactly the same, no matter how the lines are painted.
We are the good guys here, trying to make proper provision for disabled people, some of whom have to use the dialysis unit. I think that what is being asked runs counter to the Disability Discrimination Act. I will be happy to fight these proposals in court if necessary”.
Council members agreed that the new charges should be resisted and that the valuation officers should be reminded of their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act.
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