Further scrutiny of a controversial decision to introduce parking tariffs in Sudbury, Hadleigh and Lavenham will take place next week after a call-in by concerned councillors.

Babergh District Council plans, which were drawn up after the council announced it could no longer subsidise free parking as it faces a £6.7million budget gap, were given the green light on April 8. 

The following day councillor Simon Dowling, for Hadleigh North, submitted a call-in request on the decision which was co-signed by a cross-party group.

Councillors can make call-ins when they believe a decision has been taken in a way contrary to council principles, not for when they simply disagree with the decision and wish to appeal it.

The decision will now go before the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Monday, April 22, for consideration. 

In papers before the committee, a council monitoring officer wrote: "Your reason relating to the failure of cabinet to sufficiently consider the breadth and depth of the various public engagement / consultations, to reflect this in their decision making, and to amend their proposals as a result of the engagement has been deemed a valid reason for call-in.

"It is clear that aspects of the engagement have been reflected in the final decision, but the chairman is of the view that the Overview & Scrutiny Committee should explore this in more detail as a result of your call-in." 

The approved proposal includes the introduction of a £1 charge for short stay parking for the first hour or £1 for the first two hours in long stay parking, with tariffs then rising in 50p increments, as well as a reduction in the cost of all day parking in Sudbury and Hadleigh from £3 to £2.50.

READ MORE: Sudbury parking fees would 'kill retail' says councillor

Babergh District Council maintained that retaining an hour’s free parking, one of the recommendations some councillors were calling for, would cost the council up to £262K in lost income per year, making it impossible to deliver the aims of the parking strategy.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee will meet at 1.30pm on Monday.