Council bosses slammed for refusal to axe “shameful” free city centre parking for councillors

Lib Dems slam Reform bosses for voting to save free parking for councillors in Sunderland City Centre instead of making them pay £1.60 an hour like everyone else.

Sunderland’s Liberal Democrats have hit out at the ruling Reform UK Council after the party refused to end the perk of free city centre parking for councillors. 

At a meeting of Sunderland City Council on 24th June 2026, the Liberal Democrats called for the city’s Free After 3pm car parking scheme to be restored, along with a raft of other measures to support city centre businesses. 

Reform bosses agreed to look into bringing back the Free After 3pm scheme, but took out suggestions to scrap free city centre parking for councillors at St Mary’s car park.

This means that while residents and visitors to the city will have to pay to visit the city centre, Sunderland city councillors will have their parking paid for by the city’s taxpayers.

Labour, Conservative and Reform UK councillors have all taken the free parking, instead of paying the £1.60 an hour that everyone else has to pay to park there.

Opposition Liberal Democrat councillors refuse to take the perks and want to see the axed.

Local Lib Dem campaigner for Hendon, Millfield, and the city centre Ciaran Morrissey said:

“It’s so disappointing to see Reform continue on as business as usual when it comes to perks and freebies. Local people voted for change, but it looks like all that’s changed is the colour of the rosette of the party in charge. It is shameful that councillors have access to free city centre parking while ordinary people have to fork out for it.

"This was an opportunity for Reform to show that things would be different, and they have failed to do so. Reform talked a big game in the run-up to this election, but now they’ve got their feet under the table, it looks like they’re not so bothered about councillors having their snouts in the trough after all.

“Liberal Democrat councillors in Sunderland do not claim expenses and do not accept gifts, freebies, or perks. We are the only party holding Reform to account and fighting for residents across the city."