A town councillor was left feeling astounded after the county council leader said paid parking was being supported on a BBC show.

Paid parking bays and permit parking will be introduced in Woodstock town centre on June 1 despite being opposed by the majority of residents in a consultation and in a town poll.

In a discussion about whether there was any value in parish and town polls on BBC Politics South, host Peter Henley put it to Ms Leffman, leader of the county council, that the Woodstock town poll had been completely ignored.

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Ms Leffman said: “These are things that have to be taken in context.

"There are other reasons for introducing parking charges in Woodstock and it was the decision of the town council to go with that.”

But Sharone Parnes, Woodstock town councillor, said the town council were, in fact, split with some town councillors supporting it, others opposed it.

"I couldn't believe my ears," he said. "The council is split and this issue has deeply divided the council and the community." 

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The county council later said it was a live interview and she misspoke.

Ms Leffman explained: “There are other reasons for introducing parking charges in Woodstock and it was the decision of the county council to go with that.”

Long-time resident Henry Lawrence who has started a petition against the new parking measures said what Ms Leffman said on TV "was a complete fabrication."

Mr Parnes said the county council leader should issue a written apology to Woodstock Town Council.

But he added that "misspeaking in relation to the ultra-controversial Oxfordshire County Council parking proposals has become pervasive among several of her party colleagues and Cllr Andy Graham and Cllr Leffman gave various indications that the scheme would only be considered where the community asks for it."

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The county council says the changes are aimed at improving the situation for residents, increasing the turnover of parking for businesses, encouraging more short journeys by foot.

They are also designed to improve action against inconsiderate parkers, while generating revenue to fund the scheme and to provide effective enforcement, according to the council. 

Critics believe they will badly damage the town's economy.

A spokeswoman for the county council also said the changes were wanted by the community.

She said: "These measures are a response to concerns from Woodstock residents over many years that the current system doesn’t work.

"However, the changes will be kept under review by officers and monitored to see how they operate."