THE Forest of Dean District Council appears to be getting itself into even deeper trouble over its plans to introduce car parking charges throughout Forest towns.
Now its own staff members in the Coleford HQ of the council are saying that the introduction of charges in their staff car park will be tantamount to taking a pay cut.
Chairman of the public service union Unison, Jayne Colwell, says that the recent attempt by council Labour Party leader Bruce Hogan to justify the charging proposal had upset some of her members.
"We do appreciate Mr Hogan's recent attempt to explain the issues to the public,", said Ms Colwell, adding that the union also sympathises with the council in respect of its funding crisis.
"The most contentious issue appears to be the introduction of car parking charges, both for the public car parks and for staff/councillors at the council's Coleford offices," she said.
"We are currently gauging members' opinions on the introduction of the proposed parking charges at the Coleford offices. Early indications are that staff are totally opposed to the introduction of parking charges.
"The public and councillors should note that charging for staff parking would result in a pay cut for all staff."
Ms Colwell said other employers in the district such as Beechams and Xerox did not tax their employees to park or expect their staff to provide cars for business use.
"We would like to take this opportunity to state that those of us who live within the area do pay council tax to the district council and share public concern at the effect car parking charges would have on the local towns and local economy."