CAR parking charges in the Cotswolds look set to rise for the first time in four years next April.

Cotswold District Council members meeting on Tuesday (dec 18) were due to consider a recommendation from cabinet to increase charges across the district.

If approved, it will mean the £1 charge for one hour will go up by 10p to £1.10, the £1.60 charge for two hours will go up to £2 and the charge for a three-hour stay will rise from £2 to £2.50. The council plans to freeze the half-hour charge at 50p.

Cabinet members agreed the increases, which will be subject to the usual consultation process, at their meeting last Thursday.

They also agreed to change the status of Moreton's Station Road car park from a short stay car park to a mixed stay one, meaning that the 50p half-hour charge will no longer be available but an all-day charge of £6 will be.

Also the car park's changed status will for the first time enable regular users to buy an annual season ticket, which cabinet members want to see rise from its current £280 to £340.

Council Leader Lynden Stowe said the proposals reflected residents' views from the council's recent budget consultation that users of services should pay for them.

He said: "The budget workshops gave us a clear message that people believe the user should pay - they also suggested that the council should look at new ways of raising income by charging for discretionary services such as planning advice."

Cllr Stowe said that the pricing structure would help to keep turnover of spaces high, making it easier for local people to find a place to park.

Cllr Mark Tufnell, Portfolio holder for Environment, said that the Council was planning a review of car parking next year, looking holistically at on-street and off-street parking issues.