Conwy council could start charging its staff to park at work.

Cllr Andrew Wood has asked that parking charges be considered for  council office car parks at Bodlondeb and the new Coed Pella building.

The cost of implementing such a move,  including providing new machines, is estimated at being £20,000, with the potential income from the change  being £64,000.

Making the change would boost the cash-strapped council’s finances and potentially prove good for the environment.

Members of the council’s economy and place committee, who meet on December 4,  will discuss the plans and make a recommendation to the full council on how to proceed.

A report to members said: “Parking charges at council offices may be considered as part of a package of measures to reduce carbon emissions from staff commuting by encouraging car sharing, public transport use and walking/cycling. Income from parking charges could be used to help fund these measures. The estimated annual income from a combination of permits and charging at the council’s three main offices is £64,000.”

Cllr Wood said: “Charging at Coed Pella and Bodlondeb, via either a permit or individual car park daily rate, should apply to Conwy employees as is to the general public.”

Cllr Greg Robbins, the cabinet member responsible for the environment, said: “I welcome the topic selection as it brings to prominence the issues involved in sustainable travel and the carbon and financial implications.

“I look forward to the completion of the sustainable travel plan, which will feed into the green programme board, and will result in considered recommendations for the use and charging structure of our office car parks for the future.”