Plan to fund free parking could put council tax up

Bollington Town Council is asking for residents' views on paying more to keep parking free in the town

A Cheshire town council is proposing to dip into its own pocket to keep car parking free in its area and its library open for longer.

Cheshire East Council is set to introduce parking fees at car parks in the borough that have historically been free, which has led to protests in a number of areas.

Bollington Town Council is considering funding the payments to the borough council by increasing the precept it charges residents by more than a third.

It has faced financial difficulties in recent months, with a major cost-cutting plan signed off over the summer.

The town council said if the plans were approved, the precept payment - which is the sum that parish and town councils charge as part council tax - would increase for a band D home from £89.78 a year to £124.98.

But it said this did not take into account any further funding requests from Cheshire East - or inflation costs.

If the cost increase is backed by residents, Cheshire East Council would continue to maintain the Pool Bank car park but there would be no cost to park there due to the funding from the town council.

The town council is also proposing to pay for an extra 16.5 hours of staff time to keep the library open for longer hours.

Cheshire East Council is seeking to cut library opening hours across the borough, but has proposed that parish councils could fund additional hours.

A consultation on the proposals runs until 15 November.