A Devon council is considering charging its staff to park their vehicles at work.

Plymouth City Council's proposals will be discussed by the community well-being committee next week.

Committee chairman Graham Horler said they were looking at ways to raise money and to make the council more environmentally friendly.

But the proposals have provoked a storm of protest from staff unions.

To start charging staff to do the council's work for them is an absolute outrage Tony Staunton, Unison spokesman

Councillor Horler said: "If you apply for planning permission as any employer in the city, part of your planning application will involve green travel contingencies.

"We feel, as responsible employers trying to look after the environment and look after our city, we should be encouraging our staff the same way as other employers do.

Staff consultation

"This will obviously be done in consultation with our staff.

"The councillors will now sit down and look at the logistics of bringing something like this into place."

But the proposals have met with anger from staff unions.

Unison spokesman Tony Staunton said attempts by other local authorities to introduce parking charges had led to strike action.

Personal risk

"Parking facilities in Plymouth for staff are very, very poor.

"We already have problems of theft and personal risk, with people having to walk some considerable distance between the car park and the offices.

"The practicalities are that the council should introduce better safeguards and protect their staff more as it stands.

"But to start charging us as well to do their work for them is an absolute outrage," he said.