A COUNTY and district councillor has accused South Hams Council of 'using car parks as cash cows for the council'.

Cllr Julian Brazil has been looking at car parking charges across Devon in all the district councils and says that the South Hams is the most expensive place to park, adding it is the only council that charges both on Sundays and for parking after 6pm while other councils all do one or the other.

Cllr Brazil said: 'They are not allowed to use parking as revenue, they shouldn't be doing that.

'Cllr Rufus Gilbert said the council had a £190,000 shortfall in parking last year but it still made £1.7m profit.

'So basically it made slightly less of a massive profit last year.

'This idea that motorists get a good deal in the South Hams is total rubbish.

'It has said that it is freezing its charges this year, which is good, but other council reduced parking charges or scrapped them all together in December to help their high streets, while South Hams did nothing.'

A spokesman for South Hams Council said: 'We are not the most expensive place for parking in Devon.

'In fact, we believe South Hams offers good value for money.

'Evening charges only apply after 6pm during the high season in selected car parks.

'Local residents can buy a permit for just £21 per year which allows them to park from 4pm to 10am – the following day – in all the council's car parks.

'In December, there were free or reduced parking initiatives in both Ivybridge and Modbury. The council is happy to work with the district's market towns to design car park charges to suit local demand while maintaining overall income.

'The council is also freezing car park charges during 2013/14, as it did in 2012/13.

'All income raised from car park charges is used to help pay for council services and contribute towards keeping down the cost of council tax.

'The council has seen a significant reduction in the expected income from car park charges and the latest figures are due to be presented to the council's executive shortly.

'Nationally, there is a general trend which is seeing car parking income reduce.'

Cllr Brazil's car parking charges survey did not include Plymouth, Exeter, Torquay where he accepts that charges can be greater but added 'then you can use public transport which is, of course, free to pensioners.'

Cllr Brazil said: 'Year on year South Hams has used car parks as cash cows for the council. It has never been concerned about the effect on our market towns. Up and down the country you hear of examples where local councils provide free or very cheap parking to attract people into market towns.

'About the only free car park in the South Hams is Follaton House where all the council officers park. I think that says it all about where the council's priorities lie.

'It would be a welcome change if elected councillors started putting their local communities first rather than just following officer recommendations like a flock of sheep.'