OPPOSITION councillors have called for a freeze on car park charge increases to boost shoppers and traders in Wyre Forest.

Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet has proposed an increase in car park fees across their district car parks as part of a three-year budget plan that is currently out for public consultation.

But Independent councillor Helen Dyke and Liberal Democrat Fran Oborski said that, given the collapse of plans to expand Weavers Wharf in Kidderminster, the hike in charges should be postponed.

In a joint statement, they said: “At a time when inflation is so low and with so many changes taking place in our towns we feel it is totally inappropriate to increase car park charges again this year.

"We are prevented from putting an amendment to the WFDC Budget to seek these changes because the Tory Administration has changed the Council Constitution to remove these decisions from the democratic control of the Council.

“We are therefore calling for a high level Working Group to investigate the way charges are set and how they impact on the public.”

But council and Tory group leader Marcus Hart said: “I feel that the increase is appropriate. The increase will come in from October 2016.

“Any freezing would have a negative effect on our revenue budget in the sum of approximately £50,000 over 12 months.

“What we are doing for all of our residents and tax payers is proposing to freeze council tax, not for one, but for two years. This is a very clear message to our communities that we are supporting them at a time when inflation is low.

“Car parking charges are always going to be an emotive subject but it is worth reminding residents of the fact that a substantial number of our car parks have free parking easily accessible to local residents.”

He added: “I can categorically say that the “Tory Administration has not changed the Council’s Constitution to remove these decisions from the democratic control of the Council.”

“The previous Labour Government legislated for Cabinet style governance to be introduced to Councils and this means that some fees and charges are dealt with by Cabinet rather than Full Council.”

Councillors Dyke and Oborski also raised concerns about an “unacceptable” £50 charge on groups to use council parks for community and charity events. But Councillor Hart added that groups would not have to foot this bill and the cost would be covered in existing council resources.