ALL council-run car parks across Ceredigion could soon be operated by “draconian” private enforcement companies, a councillor has claimed.

Ceredigion County Council currently operates 26 pay-and-display and park and ride car parks in the county.

But one councillor said these could be transferred to private companies such as Parking Eye as part of cuts being considered by the council.

Speaking to the Cambrian News this week, Cllr Gethin James said:

“The council is looking seriously at off-loading car parks to private partners for a fee.

“I believe it would be a mistake for this county if they decided to do this because it would mean a lot of car parks in the county being run by draconian enforcement companies such as Parking Eye.”

Cllr James said: “The matter is being discussed in workshops, but I don’t think it has been discussed by Cabinet yet.

“The service I think takes something like £800,000 and costs about £500,000 to operate, which means it is worth around £300,000 to them.

“If the council privatises it, someone else will get this money.”

A Ceredigion council spokesperson said: “Pricewaterhouse Cooper has been engaged by the council to develop plans to assist with the financial challenges facing the authority.

“Options are being considered, such as externalising the operation of the car parking arrangements in the county.”

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