MENDIP District Council's Cabinet has approved an increase in parking charges in council car parks.

The proposals, which will see hourly rates in Wells increase by between 10p and 50p, were endorsed at a meeting on May 21.

Councillor Tom Killen, who was chairing the meeting, said that the increases were necessary so that the council had the funds to keep providing services for the people of Mendip.

"None of us want to increase parking charges, but we have got to make tough decisions," he said.

Councillor Harvey Siggs pointed out that it has been four years since the council last increased the car park tariffs. He also said that an increase in parking provision in Wells will be looked at as it has the most critical car park problem.

"We really do need more parking space in Wells," added Councillor Roy Mackenzie.

Parking permits will be going up in price as part of the proposals, though Councillor Nigel Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Community Health, said that it would be possible to pay for these only for the days that a permit is needed. Free parking on Sundays in Frome and Shepton Mallet is also coming to an end, except on market days. On other Sundays there will be a charge of £2 per vehicle for the day.

As part of the decision at Cabinet it was agreed that the car parking charges would be reviewed on a yearly basis in the future.

The council had asked for opinions on the Draft Car Park Strategy 2018-2022 from town councils and chambers of commerce across Mendip. There will be a further 21-day public consultation to be undertaken as part of making the new Parking Order.

The Car Park Strategy – from which the council had decided to separate out the Car Park Charges Review – is proposed to go to Cabinet in September.