COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Plans are being considered to change management of Coventry car parks and events to save the council up to £500,000 a year.



The authority would take over running city centre car parks and city-wide events from management and promotions company CVOne.

It said it was a move to make savings through ending duplication in both organisations.

A report is due to be considered by the council's cabinet in November.

'Tough economic times'

Councillor Linda Bigham, cabinet member for city development, said: "CVOne has played an important part in helping put Coventry on the map over the past decade, and has... led the way in developing events like the Godiva Festival which are now fixtures on the regional festival scene.

"But during these tough economic times we have to look at everything we do to make sure we're delivering value for money for local people

"Bringing these services back in-house will deliver savings."

Leader of the Labour-controlled council, Councillor John Mutton, said: "We can save thousands of pounds each year for instance by using our parking wardens to open and close city centre car parks.

"They already patrol the car parks, so it seems wrong not to use them more sensibly and save money once we have taken car park management back under council control."

A report is due to be considered by full council in December, with the changes to the services finalised by April next year, the council said.