PARKING charges are a step closer at five Poole parks after approval was given for council officers to forge ahead with a business case for introducing them.

Borough of Poole's cabinet has approved this and a number of other measures to create more income, in what it says is a direct result of the Chancellor's recent budget.

They endorsed the extension of the garden waste collection from 38 to 44 weeks and upping the cost from £31.80 to £37.55 for 2016 and extending the high season period for beach car parks from March 1 to October 31 to match Bournemouth.

And they agreed in principle controversial measures to charge motorists to park at Poole Park, Hamworthy Park, Upton Country Park, Whitecliff and Baiter skatepark, reducing the opening hours of the Nuffield household waste recovery centre, reducing bus subsidies and not notifying neighbours of planning applications.

The cash-strapped council has faced a £20million annual reduction in government grant since 2011 and has to find £37m over four years. With unprotected Whitehall departments being warned to prepare for cuts of 25-40 per cent, the authority is concentrating on protecting services to young people and vulnerable adults.

Cllr John Rampton, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment said: “Our garden waste collection service is very popular and over the last year or so we have received many requests to extend the collection service to cover a late autumn period.

"We have listened to our customers and have agreed to extend the collection period from 38 to 44 weeks next year. The price represents an increase of less than 4p per collection.”

Opposition Liberal Democrat member, Cllr Phil Eades, who is opposing plans to charge for parking at the parks and urging residents to write to their councillors, has also spoken out about the extension of the high season at beach car parks.

"It is utterly disgraceful that the decision has been taken to change Poole’s calendar and make March and October peak season months for car parking," he said.

"This will inevitably hit local residents rather than tourists as the tourist trade is much reduced in these months and the vast number of people on the beaches in these months will be locals. What is even more appalling is that this decision is made behind closed doors with no publicity, advertisement, consultation or chance to challenge,” he added.