BRADFORD Council "cannot guarantee" that free residents' parking permits will continue in the future.

The question was asked by Baildon Councillor Debbie Davies at a meeting of the Full Council last week.

She asked if the Council could "put residents' minds at rest" by confirming there were no plans to charge those who currently have free permits for residents' parking in the future.

Motorists in certain busy streets throughout the district are provided with residents' parking permits that allow them to find a space on their road.

The Council has recently announced plans to make £13.5 million in savings in 2019-20, with a further £19.9 million needed in 2020-21.

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, portfolio holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport responded to Cllr Davies' question by saying: "After nearly 10 years of Conservative government-imposed austerity, which has seen this council forced to take over £250 million out of its budget, we've had to bring in charges for a wide range of services we hoped we wouldn't have to.

"Charges for a range of highways services, including residents' parking permits, were included in a previous Council budget but we managed to make the savings elsewhere and therefore did not introduce it at the time.

"With no end to austerity in sight, despite the Prime Minister's warm words, I'm afraid we cannot guarantee that every service we currently provide for free will remain so indefinitely.

"However I can guarantee that we will continue to do everything we can to provide the essential services for the district that people rely on and to keep the Council on a sustainable footing for future generations."