Councillors in Wolverhampton face being charged for parking at the Civic Centre, according to political leaders.

Staff at Wolverhampton City Council are already being stripped of free parking under plans to save £240,000 a year.

However, they still get a massively discounted rate, which the Wolverhampton Business Group wants to see abolished.

There were also calls for councillors and officers earning £45,000-a-year to lose the free use of a car park at the rear of the Civic Centre.

The group believes the extra income from council staff could fund further reductions in parking fees for the general public.

Henry Carver, chairman of the group, said: “Do you expect a working class person to pay more than councillors?”

Conservative leader Neville Patten and Mike Heap of the Liberal Democrats both said councillors should pay for parking.

Councillor Heap said: “A lot of parking spaces are tak-en up by council officers. It’s complete folly that councillors should have free parking.”

Labour leader Councillor Roger Lawrence said: “Most elected members are not full timers and will be coming in once or twice a week and we need to reflect that. Councillors will pay an appropriate amount relating to the work they are doing.”