ANGER about Waverley’s proposals to increase parking charges, branded “totally unacceptable” by Farnham traders, triggered a backlash by Tory councillors at a full council meeting to finalise the budget.

Farnham Chamber of Commerce called on Waverley to rethink the proposal to help plug a £1.5 million shortfall in the 2017/18 budget, due to concerns that increasing charges would simply drive shoppers out of the town to centres where parking was free.

Council members voted overwhelmingly to support the parking charges hike, however, which means that from April, motorists will pay £1 (not 90p) for the first hour at both Lower Hart and Central car parks in Farnham.

Members of Waverley’s decision-making committee approved a raft of cost-cutting and income-generating proposals in order to balance the budget, which include a £5 increase for Band D tax payers.

The concerns of residents about the damaging knock-on effect on High Street footfall, were backed by members of Waverley’s ‘watchdog’ joint overview and scrutiny committee and the borough’s Executive committee.

The biggest protest by borough councillors was made at council, when Tory ward members abandoned the party line and proposed an alternative “cost neutral” amendment to charge 50p for the first 30 minutes, but the amendment was not carried.

Former Waverley leader, Haslemere councillor Robert Knowles said: “Increasing parking charges has made everyone unhappy. I would like to move an amendment to charge 50p for 30 minutes in High Street car park, Haslemere, Central car park, Farnham, Crown Court, Godalming and Village Way, Cranleigh.

“We all accept we must have a balanced budget but we need to do something for our residents.”

Fellow Tories disagreed, Farnham councillor Pat Frost said: “It sounds attractive on the surface but we don’t know its impact on a balanced budget and we have a duty to provide a balanced budget. If we mess around we won’t have a balanced budget.

“I see no reason why officers couldn’t look into it and see where we get to but we have a duty to agree a balanced budget tonight.”