AN INCREASE in car parking charges in Royston would be completely inappropriate , according to a councillor. The proposed North Herts District Council budget for 2009/10 includes the provision for £140,000 extra income from car parking compared to the bu

AN INCREASE in car parking charges in Royston would be "completely inappropriate", according to a councillor.

The proposed North Herts District Council budget for 2009/10 includes the provision for £140,000 extra income from car parking compared to the budget for 2008/09.

Cllr Peter Burt told last week's meeting of the district council's Royston area committee: "It would be completely inappropriate to increase car parking charges in Royston during a time of recession."

This view was shared by Cllr Fiona Hill, who said: "There is no way I could support money for this coming from Royston.

"We are trying to get Royston back on its feet."

However, Barrie Jones, head of financial services at the district council, told the meeting: "The £141,000 will not necessarily be raised by increasing car parking charges. There are other incomes from car parks that we can look at.