THERE will be no immediate back-track over controversial changes to parking fees in North Oxfordshire, the new district council chief executive has said.

Cherwell District Council’s Sue Smith said the increase of 10p on hourly rates, evening fees and charges for blue badge holders would be reviewed in the autumn.

She said: “People will comment one way or another, and may vote with their feet and maybe go somewhere else.”

Mrs Smith, 54, said: “There will be a review, but to review something you have to let it operate.

“We are not the first council in the country to charge blue badge holders and won’t be the last.

“It’s all about juggling finances and lots of tough decisions have to be made.

“The council grant has gone down, and next year it will drop further and inflation is going up. The only way we can reduce the impact, to off-set the gap, is raise charges or raise council tax.”

She acknowledged it had been “difficult” to make sure all were aware of the charges, a move which has seen some caught out with fines.

Mrs Smith started the £125,000-a-year job a fortnight ago and is the first to share the job with neighbouring South Northants District Council.

She was previously chief executive of Harborough District Council, Leicestershire for six years.

A management shake-up is expected to be announced shortly and the Tory-run council is having to save £2.7m this year after a cut in Government grants.