CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has acknowledged the scale of the opposition to the possibility of introducing parking charges in Northwich and Winsford.

More than seven thousand people signed Park the Charge petitions opposing the council’s suggestion of bringing in charges in areas of the borough where parking is currently free.

The suggestion is included in the authority’s Let’s Talk consultation, which invited views on its priorities and budget for the next four years to help it bridge a £47 million funding gap, which is set to rise.

More than 1,800 people and groups had their say during the consultation, and the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee meets next Wednesday, January 27, to consider the consultation findings and to make recommendations to the Cabinet on February 3.

“People indicated they are prepared to pay more to ensure key services are maintained, especially for vulnerable people,” said a council spokeswoman.

“When asked how to fund these services, respondents supported an average council tax rise of 2.4 per cent through the budget simulator.

“Increasing income through raising fees and charges for services such as car parking, commercial rent and cemeteries, crematoria and registration services was also supported. The suggested average increase was 5.6 per cent.

“However, there was significant concern around the possibility of introducing parking charges in areas of the borough where parking is currently free.

“At the time of the consultation launch indications were that Government funding reductions would leave the council facing a £47 million shortfall by 2020.

“However the authority has since received its provisional funding settlement from central Government, which has resulted in a worsening of the financial position.

“This is largely due to a greater reduction in the Revenue Support Grant and the New Homes Bonus grant being reduced by at least a third, and the shortfall of £47 million over the next four years is regrettably set to grow.”

Councillor David Armstrong thanked everyone who had taken part in the consultation, and said the responses “show us the direction in which our residents want to go.”

He said the greater than expected cut in Revenue Support Grant and the reduction by a third in the New Homes Bonus grant would lead to an “extremely challenging” budget.

“We will keep people informed as we have to make some very difficult and tough decisions,” he said.

Final proposals will be considered at the budget-setting meeting on February 25.