A BID to overturn the “cynical” removal of a reinvestment fund for car parks in the interests of women’s safety has been rejected by Bath and North East Somerset Council.

B&NES Council approved its budget for 2025/26 at a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, February 25, while rejecting a proposal from independent Councillor Shaun Hughes to keep the parking reinvestment fund for the next financial year.

Scrapping the fund for the next financial year will save an estimated £210,000, but the council has said it should return in 2026/27.

In the council’s initial budget consultation, the proposal states scrapping the fund will have “no significant impact” but acknowledges that “opportunities to improve operational efficiency may take longer to be identified.”

Councillor Shaun Hughes (Independent, Midsomer Norton North) proposed B&NES Council maintain the fund for 2025/26 while highlighting concerns surrounding safety. The fund helps pay for improvements to lighting and CCTV cameras.

The proposal was rejected by the council. Discussing Mr Hughes’ proposal during the meeting, Cllr Mark Elliot (Liberal Democrats, Lansdown) said: "The suggestion is that we fund it just by slapping another £210,000 on the parking income revenue line.

"The targets for the parking income are carefully negotiated over time with the parking services officers based on what they, in their professional opinion, believe is reasonably achievable.

"You can't just decide to add another £210,000 to that target, that simply adds another £210,000 of unfunded risk to a carefully balanced budget."

Midsomer Norton and Radstock residents are waiting for the introduction of charges to council-run car parks which are currently free to use.

B&NES Council consulted on the charges as part of wider measures to improve air quality and encourage people to use public transport. The new charges are hoped will raise around £195,000.

B&NES Council carried out an impact assessment on scrapping the reinvestment fund which acknowledged that delays to facility upgrades may result in night time security risks to women and the elderly.

Councillor Hughes said in a statement after the meeting that the fund established to improve the safety of car parks in Midsomer Norton and Radstock for women and vulnerable people has been “cynically removed” from the budget by the Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Hughes said: “In July 2021 following the appalling tragedy of Sara Everard this council undertook a review into safety of women while using car parks and transport hubs — particularly at night.

“Calls on council departments and other bodies responsible for public spaces to improve the security of public spaces by encouraging them to review lighting (in streets, car park and parks), CCTV provision and other pertinent means to improve safety.

“However, it seems that, yet again, we are simply kicking the can down the road by delaying implementation for another year. With growing public concerns around safety, this issue demands a proactive and decisive approach.”

B&NES Council has been asked for a comment.