Reform UK Doncaster leader clashes with finance boss over council’s free car parking marketing
“Where does it say ‘one-hour free parking’? Nowhere.”
The leader of Reform UK Doncaster has told finance officials there should be banners advertising the free parking scheme in city centre car parks.
Councillor Howard Rimmer told a meeting of the City of Doncaster Council’s overview and scrutiny committee that he drives past at least two council-run city centre car parks every day and there is no indication that visitors can park for free.
He said: “Where does it say ‘one-hour free parking’? Nowhere. If it did say one-hour free parking, it might encourage drivers who go to a private car park, to our car park.”
Debbie Hogg, executive director of corporate resources at the council, attempted to rebuff the Roman Ridge ward member, saying details are on the ticket machines and display boards.
But Coun Rimmer cut the senior official off, saying: “No. There should be a banner on the fence as you drive in. That’s marketing.”
The back-and-forth followed the publication of the council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), which revealed finance officials at the local authority did not expect the one-hour free parking to continue beyond its trial period ending in March 2027.
The scheme was introduced as part of Reform UK’s amendment to Doncaster Council’s 2026/27 budget, but the MTFS said there has been no evidence of increased footfall as a result.
Ms Hogg told Coun Rimmer there was ‘no marketing budget’ for car parks.