Business parking tax thrown out

Business parking tax thrown out

Greater Manchester's council leaders have rejecting proposals that would help fund public transport improvements.

At a meeting of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, Councillors met to discuss the increase of business rates and the idea of charging companies a levy on the parking spaces they provide for staff in Manchester city centre.

AGMA have been looking at ways of raising funds since the congestion charging plan was rejected in a public referendum last year. Officers say that the Councils must increase revenue somehow.

But the idea of hitting businesses for more cash was thrown out due to the current economic climate.

The idea of supplementary business rates would have raised £38million in its first year of operation according to an AGMA report.

Council leaders voted to pass the report but at this stage it is just a list of possible options for raising transport funds, rather than a firm plan.