Councillors in Brighton have strongly disagreed with each other over plans to introduce free parking in the city in the run-up to Christmas.
Members of the Green administration last week described the idea as "anti-business" and suggested it would cost the local authority £112,000 in lost income.
Despite this, opposition councillors from the Conservatives and Labour have forced through the plan, meaning parking will be free of charge on December 7th, 8th, 15th and 22nd at the High Street, Trafalgar Street, Regency Square, London Road and Norton Road car parks.
Green leader Jason Kitcat told the Argus he admired the optimism that those backing the scheme had regarding its ability to attract people to the city who will subsequently spend lots of money, but is adamant it remains a bad idea.
Indeed, the council head described the plan as being equivalent to "giving away free tickets to the cinema for a Saturday matinee that would be packed anyway", as well as a "waste of taxpayers' money".
Councillor Ann Norman was one of those who backed the project and said a quick browse on Google showed her that 25 other councils in the UK are already offering free or cheaper parking in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
"If they can do it, why can't we?" she asked.
But councillor Kitcat said Brighton is a special case and simply comparing it with other towns and cities is foolish.
"A lot has been made of the Google analysis of free parking in places like Lancaster and Morecambe. I must say they're slightly different to Brighton, where some places here are the most densely populated in Europe," he explained.
Despite his objections, support from councillor Norman and Labour counterpart councillor Warren Morgan saw the scheme approved and parking will now be free in the city on the selected dates.
The council may have to consider redeploying its team of wardens and parking attendants if it is to maximise revenue around this time.
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