A six-person committee set up to review parking restrictions is comprised entirely of North Somerset councillors from wards where there are no charges for on-street parking.

Council leader Nigel Ashton chairs the committee comprised of Conservative councillors Jan Barber, Chris Blades, Peter Crew, David Pasley, and Kate Stowey.

Of the six councillors engaged in the working group, only Cllr Crew represents a ward connected in the Mercury area where drivers face on-street charges.

At a meeting of Weston Town Council on Monday, in which a response to the ongoing parking review was proposed, as well as suggestions for changes to parking in Weston including reducing the cost and complexity of parking in the town and creating residents zones, North Somerset was slammed by disgruntled councillors who believe Weston is being ignored.

Weston-super-Mare Central Ward Cllr Mike Bell said: “All those reviewing parking are Conservatives, despite repeated promises that the review would be cross-party. Just one Councillor from Worle and the rest from Clevedon, Nailsea and Portishead. No consultation with residents or businesses. No published minutes of meetings and all discussed behind closed doors and in secret. I should be shocked, but we all know North Somerset is run like North Korea.”