PARKING charges in Christchurch could stay the same next year as the council looks set to refrain from any increases.

A meeting of Christchurch Borough Council's resources committee last week also debated potential changes to car parks in Christchurch.

And members also heard the council expects to make £90,000 in excess of their budget forecast this year.

This has led to the decision not to increase charges in 2018/19.

New winter charges at Steamer Point, Highcliffe Castle and Avon Run Road have also generated a much higher

income than officers anticipated.

It was estimated that charges would generate £6,635 during the winter period, but the total has already exceeded this by nearly £1,000.

Members also discussed the recent proposals over changes to car park bay arrangements.

While generally supportive of the idea, members were critical of the cost to carry out some of these changes and called for work at Two Riversmeet to be left out of the proposals.

This would see parking for buses moved back to Bridge Street and an extra 71 car park spaces included at the leisure centre.

But councillors called for this to be excluded, saying other work should be done first.

Cllr Trish Jamieson and committee chairman, Peter Hall, also criticised the plan for coach parking at the Cliff Top car park in Highcliffe, as opposed to Mayor's Mead.

While increases to fees and permits look likely not to increase next year, the council is intending to revert the start time for the overnight charges in Wick Lane back to 6.30pm.

Last year, a petition was submitted to the council, signed by 206 people, calling for the time to start at 7pm because of the impact on businesses, including the local gym.

But since then, the Regent Centre, which backs on to the car park, has asked for the time to be changed back.

This has been backed by nearly 800 of their customers, a report to the committee says.

A report will be brought back to the February committee.