BCP Council to review payment options at its facilities amid backlash against cashless systems in car parks and seafront kiosks

CASH payments at council facilities could be re-introduced amid a backlash against digital-only systems in car parks and at seafront kiosks.

Currently, drivers using BCP Council-run car parks across the region must pay digitally, and at some sites the only option is to use an app.

The authority’s seafront kiosks also do not accept cash, and the latest BCP full council meeting heard buying a green bin was only possible via card payment.

Councillors say the shift to cashless provision is likely adversely impacting “certain demographics”, and that if it can be demonstrated this was the case, officers should consider “reinstating the acceptance of cash” at its facilities.

Proposing the motion, Green Cllr Joe Salmon argued those without access to regular banking services was “not just a tiny, unimportant minority”.

“It really bothers me that we’ve not been able to produce a really black-and-white justification of why we’ve moved to cashless,” he told the meeting.

Cllr George Farquhar said that in saving council staff the “inconvenience of collecting cash from a machine and then banking that cash”, a demographic had in effect been cut off.

“And the certain demographic that is not specifically referred to here is the older generation,” he said. “I’m a carer and I worked for the better part of three years teaching an 80-year-old how to actually tap and go.”

Cllr Peter Cooper said there was a “broader debate” to be had over a cashless society, citing privacy concerns due in part to digital funds being more trackable than physical cash.

He also stressed the frustration people feel when those digital systems fail. “I was in a car park in Cornwall recently and there must have been 25 people around a payment meter that had completely failed,” he said.

“It had taken card numbers and not issued tickets.

“We need to be putting out the message to our residents that we understand cash is relevant, because there is a broader argument about control and money – and that’s not a conspiracy, it’s just the way banks work.”

Cllr Tony Trent, describing himself as a “fierce defender of the cash option”, said he often had to phone his family for help with parking apps.

“I believe we should retain the cash option wherever possible,” he said.

Cllr Hazel Allen said the pressure to use digital cash was reinforcing the feeling of “disconnect” many older people have from society.

“Tech is moving on so quickly,” she said. “My late mother-in-law wanted a green bin, but she didn’t have a credit card and she didn’t have a way of getting on the internet – so she had to ask me and my husband.

“I don’t see why somebody should have to rely on their family to do this for them because it takes away their independence, which is very important in older age.”

Cllr Allen also pointed out that in the current cost-of-living crisis, it was far easier for those struggling financially to budget with cash.

“If you are constantly tapping a card, you are running up debt,” she said.

But cabinet member for finance, Cllr Mike Cox, said it was important to note that BCP Council is not a cashless authority, and that there are “numerous opportunities” for residents to pay this way.

“For example, you can pay your council tax using cash,” he said. “And you should be able to purchase a green bin using cash.

“The only places where the cash option is not available is the seafront kiosks and the car parks. Cash was removed from the kiosks during Covid and there is no intention to reinstate that unless there is a compelling financial case to do so.”

With reference to car parks, Cllr Cox told members: “It’s virtually impossible to own and drive a car without having a bank card

“We’ve had serious criminal activity in our park parks, which caused a significant loss to the council; cash will therefore not be returning to the car parks any time soon.

However, he added: “We are seeking to add the ability to pay by card in those car parks which only accept an app.”

Councillors voted to instruct officers to bring a report to cabinet that “reviews the decision and impact of the implementation of cashless-only provision at council facilities”.