BROMSGROVE residents are being failed by their district council when it comes to parking, according to a new hard-hitting report.

Councillor Peter McDonald (Waseley), who is leader of the opposition Labour group on Bromsgrove District Council, has drawn up the report after the authority scrapped free parking permits for the town's disabled drivers and the elderly. The report accuses the authority of 'ageism' and of 'being out of touch' with the people it represents. It also says that the council didn't consult properly before it went ahead with the changes back in May.

The report goes on to call for a task force to be set up to investigate going back to the former system of charging.

Until May 1, an annual permit cost £5.15 for drivers aged between 60 and 64 with free parking for the disabled and over 65s. Now the yearly fee is £30.

Labour has also organised a petition to back its call, which has so far been signed by more than 2,000 people

In his report Cllr McDonald says the council failed to consult relevant organisations until June 16, six weeks after the new charges came into force.

He claims the authority, by singling out the elderly, is guilty of 'ageism.' Furthermore, earlier consultation with groups such as Age Concern would have highlighted problems that disabled drivers have experienced over signage and obtaining tickets.

"The council is out of touch with local communities and has failed to recognise that this group are in receipt of low incomes and cannot afford the full charges," the report says.

It concludes that residents believe the decision to burden these minority groups with helping the council balance its books, through higher charges, was 'petty, spiteful and unnecessary' and singled out the most vulnerable in society.

Council leader Roger Hollingworth (Con- Alvechurch) said it was an 'interesting' report, adding: "All implementation issues raised in the report are already in hand.

"Equality and diversity was foremost in our thoughts and there was no ageism or orther discrimination as we asked everybody to pay more.

"I am always open to suggestions and will be interested how lost revenue resulting from Cllr McDonald's proposals can be made up over the next three years. What services will he cut?"