PLANS to increase the annual fee for residents’ parking in Pendle were criticised by opposition councillors, who claim the matter has not been fully investigated.

Tory group leader, Cllr Joe Cooney, slammed the 32 per cent rise over the next two years and has demanded a full review.

But council leader Mohammed Iqbal claims the move is a result of nationwide government cuts and the responsibility for these has to be shared.

There are 71 residents’ parking schemes across Pendle, with an annual permit currently costing £17 a year.

This will increase to £20 from April 1, 2016, and then to £22.50 from April 1 2017.

Cllr Cooney said: “This is the same old Labour. Their first response is to hit the taxpayers of Pendle with more charges.

“No work has been done to investigate if the residents’ parking scheme could be delivered at a lower cost and keep the current price at the same level.

“It’s the principle that their first thought is to hike up prices for the people of Pendle when that should be the last resort.

“The residents parking scheme is in a state, with a backlog of orders waiting to be made by Lancashire County Council. The whole thing needs a review.”

The plan was passed at a meeting of the full council executive. It will now be discussed by the two sides at a scrutiny panel, before returning the executive agenda on October 22.

Cllr Iqbal said: “The issue is that Lancashire County Council faces a number of cuts and they need all the district councils to take on the responsibility.

“It only seems fair to ask those affected to pay the increase.

“What we’ve agreed is to stagger this over two years rather than one year.

“In an ideal we wouldn’t have to do this, but at the end of the day it’s about government cuts.

“We are open to suggestions.”