Bollington residents won't have to pay parking charges when Cheshire East first introduces them because the town council is still consulting on running the car park itself.

Cheshire East had planned to introduce pay and display on the Pool Bank Car Park starting at 60p for the first hour and going up to £3.40 for six to 10 hours.

But Bollington Town Council is currently consulting residents on proposals to increase the town's part of the council tax – the precept – by an average £2.93 per month to fund free parking and keep the library's existing opening hours.

The consultation runs until November 15 and until the outcome is known and the town council has made a final decision, Cheshire East will not introduce the controversial charges on the car park.

Pool Bank Car Park, Bollington, has 79 spaces. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Cheshire East had planned to introduce charges in its currently 'free' towns and villages, including Middlewich, Sandbach, Alsager and Holmes Chapel, by October – but that hasn't happened yet.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands the delay is due to the various infrastructure not being installed on time.

A spokesperson for Bollington Town Council told the LDRS: "Nothing can be done in Bollington until after the consultation has been carried out."

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If residents support increasing the precept by an average of £2.93 – that is for a band D property – and that decision is ratified by the town council, then Cheshire East won't be introducing charges on the car park.

A 'positive' vote would also see the library keep its existing hours as the town council would help fund it.

A 'no' vote would see parking charges introduced by Cheshire East.

And the library, which is currently open over five days a week, could be restricted to just 11 hours a week.

Details of the consultation can be seen on the town council's website.

Print copies are also being delivered to all houses in the town and are also available at Bollington Town Hall.

The opinion survey should be returned by November 15 to locations across Bollington, including the library, Tesco, Coop, the leisure centre, town hall, Chadwick's Newsagents and Grimshaw Lane Corner Store.