A senior councillor whose claims about background work on parking charges was "contrary" to that of staff met questions over her changed stance with silence this week.

In December, Warwickshire County Council's portfolio holder for transport and planning Cllr Jennifer Warren faced a backlash from political rivals over the rate of price increase for 15-minute roadside stays in Warwick, Leamington Spa, Kenilworth and Stratford town centres.

Council officers – the employed professionals – recommended an increase from 30p to 45p but Cllr Jan Matecki, who was the transport and planning lead until May 2025 when his party lost power, argued it was too much. 

As part of her rationale, Cllr Warren said: "I think it is fair to say we have benchmarked around the country."

She went on to approve the rises as suggested but the matter was called in for scrutiny – further questioning – by rival councillors in January.

At that public meeting, which was broadcast by the county council, Cllr Warren said: "We did benchmark around the country. Now sadly I haven't got that but I know we can get that to you."

The council's footage shows Cllr Warren turn towards the council officers sat behind her as she said that but later, when questioned by Cllr Matecki, the council's acting service manager for parking management Emily Brough – one of those officers behind Cllr Warren – confirmed that the 15-minute tariff had not been benchmarked across the country.

The council's published minutes go on to state that this was "contrary to the portfolio holder's earlier statement".

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Later in that meeting, Cllr Warren told Warwickshire's communities overview and scrutiny panel: "I did look as part of my process to see what the benchmarking is and it was a lot more in different (counties).

"I have that data, I haven't got it with me but I am more than happy to share it."

After more than an hour of discussion, the panel asked Cllr Warren to reconsider her original decision to reduce the 15-minute charge from 45p to 35p and to "engage with local businesses affected by the proposed 15-minute charge on any future increases".

That triggered a fresh report from officers which changed tack, backing the 35p charge to "further encourage motorists to utilise on-street parking bays for quick delivery/pick-up" while "maintaining regular throughput of visitors to the town, further supporting town centre economic growth". 

It added: "Keeping this shorter parking duration will also have a positive impact on compliance levels with motorists less likely to chance non-payment for a shorter stay."

Cllr Matecki, who led the call-in, confirmed he had not had any contact with Cllr Warren about the data she referenced ahead of her reconsideration on Friday, February 13.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service submitted questions two days in advance of the reconsideration, asking Cllr Warren to confirm if, when and how her data would be published, to summarise the methods used, state who else was involved in that work and the conclusions that were drawn from it, to confirm whether her data was considered by officers in reaching the changed recommendation and to explain why her conclusion had changed.

Cllr Warren politely acknowledged the questions but did not go on to address them with a council officer stating a written response would follow. 

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Council rules permit one further question which was utilised to ask why they were not being fielded. It was reiterated that a written response would follow on all questions. 

Moving on to take the decision, Cllr Warren read out the revised recommendations followed by: "I agree to sign."

Cllr Lorraine Grocott was part of the call-in and stated her hope that Cllr Warren "accept that this was meant in the spirit of (being) a critical friend". 

"Councillor Matecki had your role previously, I have a similar role at the district," she added.

"We know that the parking is very contentious, the charging and the enforcement. You never please everyone. 

"Moving forward, I think it is important that we have an overarching and consistent policy towards parking. If people see there is rationality and consistency there, they might not like it but they get on board. 

"If you agree or disagree with things just because they might upset people, you are on a hiding to nothing."

She also advocated looking into "consistency across the whole county" with local government reorganisation looming large, arguing this matter gets dealt with "very much in a piecemeal way".

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Cllr Warren said she had "absolutely no issues" with the call-in and thanked her colleague for the contribution.