A LEADING Labour councillor claims it is too early to say if his party is to re-think its policy on car parking charges following last week's Hyndburn election upset.

Meanwhile, another Labour councillor has admitted that the issue of car parking cost his party votes.

The council's deputy leader Coun Len Dickinson said there had been no decision to change the party's commitment to looking at fees to fund the town centre security wardens.

Tories snatched nine seats from Labour at the election amid claims that voters were protesting over the parking fees issue.

Coun Dickinson said an independent commission was being set up to look at charges.

He said: "There has not been any decision on policy. We have a meeting of the full Labour group to discuss policy sometimes after next week's annual council meeting."

Council leader Coun George Slynn said the commission would gather information and assess opinion to see if the council should push ahead with charges.

He stressed the need for individuals to register their comments with the commission so their views could be taken into account when making a decision. Party secretary Coun Bernard Dawson claimed the party had lessons to learn from the ballot box upset.

He said: "The low turnout did us, but there are other reasons for people not going to the polls.

"This year an anti-Tory Government vote did not come into play. The Tory vote virtually stayed the same, but it was our voters that didn't come out.

"There were local issues at stake, such as a car parking and the proposed new council offices. There is no doubt it cost us seats."

"Voters are sensitive to local issues and we will do well as as a party to learn from that."

A Hyndburn Council spokeswoman said the independent commission was being set up at the end of the month as planned.

She added that issue of using parking fees to park for the town centre wardens was still being explored.

The Labour group is now undergoing a reshuffle as councillors attempt to fill the gaps left by their ousted colleagues.

Sheelagh Delaney was vice-chairman of the council's policy and resources committee until losing her seat. Coun Bob Eddleston is her replacement.

Her husband, Bill Goldsmith, who also lost his seat, is to be replaced as development services committee vice-chairman by Coun Dave Parkins.

Mr Goldsmith was also the Labour group's chief whip and this position is to be taken Coun John Wells.

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