A CALLINGTON councillor has called on Cornwall Council to re-think its proposals to increase charges across council-run car parks in South East Cornwall, as the authority desperately tries to balance the new budget cuts.

Callington town councillor and Cornwall councillor for Callington Andrew Long was speaking after the county council's portfolio holder for transport, Cllr Bert Biscoe, had briefed his policy advisory committee on the proposals.

Cllr Long said: 'Since 2009, Cornwall Council has set targets for car park income and used them to create the budget. Every year it has failed to reach these targets and yet, despite being urged to use the previous year's income as the budget figures, we are once again making un-reachable targets for income that will penalise already struggling town centres and tourist destinations across South East Cornwall.

'It is time that this folly is stopped and the financial officials at the council need to understand the reality of the situation in the regions.

'It is very worrying that this looks now like the fourth department within the council that will fail to meet its budget targets and this could have a devastating impact on the financial viability of the authority.

'It is even more galling when you hear the Prime Minister making wholly inaccurate statements on the level of council reserves.

'It is clear that he and the London Government have no understanding at all on the damage their cuts are having outside their Westminster bubble.'

Cornwall Council is currently consulting on the proposed changes and will be advising local town and parish councils on the changes in the next month.