Penryn councillors have decided that providing feedback on potential new parking charges to Cornwall Council would be premature, considering they are hoping to negotiate an asset transfer.

In a recent letter to the town council Bert Biscoe, the Cornwall Council cabinet member for transport and waste said there was a current aim of raising an additional £4.5 million from parking in the next four years, including £867,000 in 2015/2016.

He said Cornwall Council would be revising parking charges and pricing structures which would help increase current parking income by six per cent.

Mr Biscoe wrote: “We want to work with you to try to find a flexible range of tariffs which enable car parks to play a dynamic part in the trading life of your town,” and asked for feedback on the new order, which would include possibly reintroducing a one-hour parking charge and extending charging periods.

Town clerk Michelle Davey told councillors: “Our response ought to be a consistent message that we want the car parks.

“Commercial Road is costing them money at the moment, isn’t it. Our response could be ‘save money by giving us the car park.”

Councillor John Langan asked if this was a “flippant” attitude, to which Miss Davey replied that it was “a fact” and they would not raise money by making people pay more.

Councillor Ted Wilkes proposed that the council await the outcome of negotiations and maintain the status quo until it decides differently. His proposal was approved by the council.