HUNDREDS of disabled people in Bournemouth who receive a free parking permit could be forced to pay £25-a-year under new BCP Council harmonisation plans.

A new charging system for disability tax-exempt vehicle parking permits is set to be introduced under the latest proposal to align services across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole following the merger earlier this year.

Members of the BCP Council cabinet will consider plans to align charges on Wednesday, September 11, with a recommendation that a new £25-a-year fee be introduced.

Under the existing system, the 3,800 permit holders pay differing rates depending on which town they live in, and concerns have been raised that people are confused by the differences in practises.

Before October 2014 none of the three now-abolished councils charged disability tax-exempt vehicles to use pay and display car parks.

But the decision to scrap paper tax discs as well as the subsequent online system to check for eligible vehicles, forced the introduction of permits.

In Bournemouth no charge has ever been made, but in Christchurch fees of £15 for residents and £25 for non-residents were brought in, and Poole charged the same albeit on an annual basis.

A report by Helen Taverner, the interim parking services manager for the council, published ahead of next week’s meeting, said a harmonised system now needed to be introduced.

“Due to the inconsistency across the area, users are unsure where they are permitted to park without payment, what qualifying criteria needs to be met, how to apply and how much it costs,” it said. To overcome this, it is now proposed that a single parking permit policy is adopted by BCP Council.”

Two options are suggested – one would see the removal of any provision of concessions and a second would apply to all blue badge holders – but not preferred by council officers.

A third, for a universal £25-a-year charge, is recommended for the support of the cabinet when it meets next week.

The report added: “The suggested cost would be the same for all applicants regardless of address and would simply cover the cost of administration and enforcement of the scheme.

“If the new system was to be approved] all current permit holders would be written to with details of the new scheme.

“Active permits would be allowed to expire before a new permit would need to be purchased and they would be recognised across all council car parks.”