SANDWELL Council leader Steve Eling has hit back at claims some staff have to use their cars for work.
It follows an unnamed employee’s complaint that it is “unfair” to introduce parking charges for staff using the car park next to the council house in Oldbury, particularly if they have to use their vehicles as part of their job.
But Councillor Eling was quick to dispel the claim reported in last week’s News.
He said: “Staff are not required to use their own cars for work because the council provides a sufficient number of pool cars for that purpose.
“The council has 47 pool cars available for staff to use. All council staff have access to pool cars and the service meets demand.”
The cash-strapped council is introducing parking charges for the first time at the West Bromwich Street car park and doubling all its long-stay parking from £2 to £4 across the borough from November 1.
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