Carers could be given the equivalent of blue badges in Cornwall to help solve the problem of them finding parking spaces when visiting patients, writes Richard Whitehouse, Local Democracy Reporter.

This is just one of several new approaches which have emerged from Cornwall Council’s Positive Parking Inquiry.

The findings of the inquiry went before the council’s economic growth and development overview and scrutiny committee.

Councillors heard that the inquiry had looked at a wide range of issues relating to parking, all of which will now be considered by the council’s Cabinet.

One of the key areas was the problems that carers have in parking in towns and villages across Cornwall.

Colonel Richard Robinson, who chaired the inquiry, said: “A carer who has a 45-minute slot to look after someone is spending a lot of that 45 minutes finding a parking space, they then have about 20 minutes left to actually care for the person.”

Under the proposals the council would issue permits to carers which would be similar to blue badges which are used by people with disabilities. They would enable carers to park more freely.

There have been reports in the past of carers getting parking tickets because they have been unable to park when going about their work.

The idea was welcomed by members of the scrutiny committee and received support from everyone.

Councillors have also endorsed plans for a review of all car parks owned by the council and plans to bring them all up to a minimum standard.

Other ideas from the inquiry included that money from the sale of car parks should be ringfenced so that they can be reinvested into car parks. However there were some concerns about this and it will be considered more closely.

The inquiry has also recommended that the council look at the use of technology to make parking more efficient and more customer friendly. They also want to ensure that enforcement officers can use their time more effectively.

Councillors have also recommended that in future the parking budget changes to charges are calculated using actual income data rather than setting targets which are difficult to achieve.

Geoff Brown, Cabinet member for transport, welcoming the review, said: “It is not all about car parks, it is about making places more accessible and car parks are an important part of that.

“Car parks have always been important in town centres and hopefully will help with the regeneration of town centres.”