Proposals to cut council tax by increasing Parking fees have been put forward by Green city councillors.

Their idea will be put to the budget meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council on Thursday.

They want to bring charges in Hove in line with those in Brighton, which they say would raise £2 million.

This would cut council tax by two per cent and still leave £500,000 for green transport schemes.

Convenor Keith Taylor said: "Under our proposals, which have been priced by council finance experts, parking charges in Hove would be raised to £1 an hour, bringing them in line with the outer Brighton parking zones. Parking rates in the centre of Brighton would remain unchanged at the higher rate of £2 an hour.

"We believe council tax payers across the city will support this proposal, which will ease the burden imposed by the Government's savage cuts in financial support." Money left over would be spent on: Subsidising less well-used bus routes; improving conditions for bus users, pedestrians and cyclists; introducing more home zones; and carrying out a feasibility study of congestion charging and workplace car parking charging.

Coun Taylor said following the study, workplace parking charges could be introduced by 2005/06 and could raise £1 million a year.

Friday February 20, 2004