A councillor has accused one of Cornwall's MP's of making a "silly mistake" by taking a swing at a town council over the growing discontent over car parking charges across the Duchy, arguing that she has got her facts "completely wrong".

Last week Cherilyn Mackrory, Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth, posted on her Facebook page that changes to parking had affected trade on the high street in Falmouth, adding that she was "shocked" that one business owner now has to pay £900 for a permit to park in the town for work.

People were quick to point out in the comments on her post, and in correspondence sent to the media, that she was being critical of her own party's policies. Conservative-run Cornwall Council increased tariffs at over 100 of its car parks in May, which resulted in many business leaders saying it would have a detrimental effect on trade, especially for the night-time economy of places which are already struggling due to the cost of living crisis, including Cornwall's capital city Truro.

Connor Donnithorne, the council's portfolio holder for transport, has previously pointed out that there has been an average parking budget shortfall of around £1.5m each year for the past six or seven years, hence the increase in charges.

When we approached Mrs Mackrory about her comments she appeared to turn to a matter unrelated to the increased charges, blaming Labour councillors in Falmouth for plans which "threaten" the future of a car park in the town. Cornwall Council owns Church Street car park and it has been mooted that it could devolve it to Falmouth Town Council but on the proviso the land is no longer used as a car park. The town council has suggested a number of other uses, but nothing has yet been decided.

She said: "It seems that local Conservatives are the only people on the ground listening to businesses and residents in Falmouth. The town council has clearly got into hot water pushing ahead with plans to reduce town centre parking without adequate support from local people. This issue cannot be sidestepped.

"As a member of Parliament, I am so lucky to meet small business owners on a regular basis and I know that many are seriously concerned about poorly consulted plans by Labour councillors which threaten the Church Street car park and increase pressure on neighbouring roads which simply cannot take it."

Now, one of those Labour councillors sitting on Falmouth Town Council has responded, saying Mrs Mackrory's comments are "pretty disappointing" and "completely wrong".

Jude Robinson, who represents the town's Arwenack ward, said: "I'm sure we all understand MP Cherilyn Mackrory trying to distance herself from her party's massive hike in car parking charge. But to try and take a swing at Falmouth's Labour town councillors at the same time was pretty disappointing.

"The people of Falmouth elected us, whether our Conservative MP likes it or not. We are all unpaid volunteers who give a lot of our time and energy to serve our town. And generally on the town council, we work together, whatever party we are in, or none at all.

"There are disagreements within the council over Church Street car park but one thing is clear: the decision on its future is Cornwall Council's – and that is run by Cherilyn Mackrory's party. It was Cornwall Council that said Falmouth could take over the car park but not to use it as a car park. Alleging that this is somehow down to Labour councillors is completely wrong."

She added: "What Falmouth Town Council has done is to work with the community to find ideas for alternative uses for the car park and also to ask Cornwall Council if it could still be used as a car park part of the time. If Cornwall Council does not agree and Falmouth Town Council does not take on the car park, it is up to Cornwall Council what happens next, perhaps a sale to developers? Or some private use? We don't know.

"When we work together, we can make things happen. The support of all councillors for the Pendennis Headland transfer showed that, the decision to take on Tall Ships, the amazing 'Arthur' exhibition, so many of the positive things happening in Falmouth are down to firstly, our brilliant employees but also the decisions of local, unpaid councillors – of all political views – and it would be nice to have support from our MP. I hope this attack on some of us was just a silly mistake and that she is willing to acknowledge it and help us in the work for a better future for our town."

A spokesperson for Mrs Mackrory said: "Cherilyn has no further comment to make on this matter."

You can read about last week's story here: Falmouth MP 'shocked' by effect of her own party's car parking charges

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