COUNCIL chiefs have rejected the option that services in Stokesley could be cut following the refusal to allow drivers to be charged for parking in the town centre.

Fears had been raised that Hambleton District Council would punish Stokesley because of the parish council's refusal to allow parking charges to be implemented on the cobbled area in the High Street.

The land is owned by the Manorial Land Trust, which allows the parish council to lease it to the district for parking.

The refusal to allow charges is set to cost the district council £38,300 a year in lost parking fees.

On Wednesday, district council leader, Coun Arthur Barker, stressed that Stokesley should not be punished.

Speaking at a meeting of the council cabinet, he said: "We should look at both sides and consider the decision of the parish council and that we deliver services to the Stokesley area.

"I don't think we should withdraw services just as a result of the parish's decision - it would be completely wrong.

"We should not be seen to be vindictive. There are ways of doing this without going so far."

Car parking charges in Stokesley, Thirsk, Northallerton and Bedale were due to be introduced from July 1 next year.

But the council now wants to delay this until next October to ensure the scheme runs properly from the start.

Members also agreed to approve the £300,900 needed to implement the scheme, and to increase the charge in the Stokesley showfield long-stay car park by 50p to £1.50.

This brings it into line with the long-stay charges to be introduced in Thirsk and Northallerton.

The district is also to review how it enforces the charges and its maintenance of car parks to try to recoup some of the £38,300 lost.

Coun Jackie Griffiths, who is also a member of Stokesley Parish Council, said: "We were quite within our rights to refuse the district to charge on the land.

"I was against the cutting of specific services to Stokesley. It was quite a serious threat and obviously that concerned the residents of Stokesley."