anger over Waverley’s proposals to increase parking charges in Haslemere town centre, triggered a mini-revolt by Tory councillors when they met at Tuesday’s full council meeting to finalise the budget.

Traders have branded plans to charge £1 for the first hour in the town’s High Street car park and 80p at Chestnut Avenue “utterly unacceptable” – saying it would simply drive customers away to nearby town centres, such as Midhurst, which offers free parking for the first two hours.

Last Tuesday, members of Waverley’s decision-making council approved a raft of cost-cutting and income-generating proposals to plug a £1.5million shortfall in Waverley’s budget for 2017/18, which include a £5 increase for band D tax payers.

It was Waverley’s plan for motorists to help foot the bill that caused the biggest outcry in Haslemere.

And the concerns of residents about the damaging knock-on effect on footfall in the High Street, were backed by town ward members both at the previous ‘watchdog’ joint overview and scrutiny committee and the borough’s executive committee.

The biggest protest by the town’s borough councillors was made at full council, when Tory ward members abandoned the party line and proposed an alternative “cost neutral” amendment to charge 50p for the first 30 minutes.

Former Waverley leader, Robert Knowles, who represents Haslemere, said: “There was uproar in the town when Surrey County Council wanted to charge for parking in the streets.

“Everyone is unhappy about this.

“I would like to move an amendment to charge 50p for 30 minutes in High Street car park, Haslemere, Central car park, Farnham, Crown Court, Godalming and Village Way, Cranleigh.

“We all accept we must have a balanced budget, but we need to do something for our residents.”

Also breaking ranks, was fellow Tory town councillor David Round, who subsequently voted against the budget, which he felt hit the town too hard.

In addition to increasing car park charges, the 2017/18 budget will see Waverley axe its weekly green waste service, close its public toilets in the High Street car park, shorten the opening times at The Edge Leisure Centre – and push for Wey Hill’s free fairground car park to become pay-and-display.

Mr Round said: “It’s difficult to support this budget when I know it’s not in the interests of Haslemere residents. There’s a lot of outrage, particularly against car parking increases because the retail section is struggling.

“There was no consultation about removing the toilets and the Saturday green waste collection, just after Surrey County Council took its weekly general refuse collection away.

“Haslemere gets not a lot from Waverley. The borough council can’t cut its grants to Haslemere Hall or the museum because that’s already zero – and not a lot else happens in Haslemere.

Mr Round added: “I fully support the pay-on-exit at car parks pilot Waverley is introducing in Cranleigh. Car parks in Waverley raise £4million a year and cost £1.5million to run.

“We rake a significant surplus on our car parks and it’s not fair money is raised that way.”

Responding to the amendment before it was overwhelmingly voted down, Waverley Tory leader Julia Potts said: “We have looked at this and we can’t get the figures to support what councillor Knowles believes they should be.

“That’s not to say we won’t work with towns and parishes during the spring and summer as part of the executive review of the budget. If the figures are cost neutral, we are happy to reconsider the amendment, but I’m not prepared to submit this amendment now into the fully costed budget.”

Miss Potts also assured critics of plans to close the public toilets in Haslemere and Godalming they would not be shut until “alternatives were put in place by other providers”.

Opposition group leader Jerry Hyman (Farnham Residents) opposed the council tax increase.

He said: “We should look at reducing council tax,” he said. “Our residents have no choice but to pay it.”

Defending the budget, finance portfolio holder Ged Hall (Frensham) said it was prudent, balanced and fair and would protect frontline services.

“Cuts to the New Homes Bonus cost Waverley £700,000,” the councillor said. “We have a stark choice – either we cut frontline services or we raise revenues and find savings.

“We have to defend frontline services to our residents.”