Proposals to change concessionary car parking for blue badge holders are now out for consultation, Powys County Council has announced.

Blue badge holders in the county, their family members, residents and organisations across the county are being asked for their views on the proposals, which are out for consultation until Monday, July 2.

Currently, blue badge holders can park all day for free at council owned and operated pay and display car parks.

However, as part of the council’s efforts to save £8.5m this financial year, the service is proposing to change this concession to help meet a saving target of £100,000.

Residents will be consulted on a number of options including:

· No concession applies. Blue badge holders pay the same amount as anyone else

· Blue badge holders who park in a disabled bay park for free. Those who cannot find a disabled bay have to pay to park with no additional concession

· Blue badge holders pay towards parking but get an extra hour for free on top of the time chosen.

· Blue badge holders continue to park for free. The £100,000 savings target should be found from somewhere else.

Councillor Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “This is a very difficult time for the council and difficult decisions have to be made.

“We fully recognise that blue badge holders do have mobility issues and need extra time to park and shop.

“Our preferred option is that a blue badge holder pays towards parking but they will get extra time for free. So, if a blue badge holder pays for two hours, they would actually get three hours parking in total.

“The consultation will close on Monday, July 2. I urge those who are blue badge holders, their family members or anyone else interested in this consultation to make their views known before the closing date.”

The Welsh Liberal Democrat - Green group on Powys County Council has condemned the preferred option saying it hits at the most vulnerable in the county.

"I should be surprised by this decision, but nothing about this cabinet and their approach to the most vulnerable in our society surprises me any more," commented Cllr Jackie Charlton, the group’s lead on disability issues.

’These additional charges on those who need easy access to shops and other amenities is another shameful example of how this Ccabinet views those less able than themselves."

Concerns were also expressed by the Welsh Lib Dem-Green Groups’ appointee for chair of the council’s Scrutiny Committee that covers highways and economic development matters, Cllr Pete Roberts.

"While the Independent Portfolio Holder for planning is launching his tri-town initiative to boost our market towns his Conservative colleague at transportation is busy driving some of their most loyal customers away with a proposal his predecessor dismissed out of hand last autumn. It’s almost as if there are two separate groups at the cabinet table who aren’t speaking to one another. Powys deserves better," he said.

To take part in the consultation visit www.powys.gov.uk/haveyoursay or request and return a paper copy via their local library.