YORK'S controversial evening parking charges could be changed by November, council leader Steve Galloway said today.

He revealed that the authority was "well on with consultation" and expected to be able to "be able to follow a timetable which would allow for any changes to evening parking charges to be introduced in November."

He told the Evening Press: "This would be the earliest that changes could be introduced because of the need to process traffic orders and order new equipment."

A report to a meeting on July 7 of the executive member for planning and transport and advisory panel said that a review of charges would take place in November, six months after the final changes were introduced, with a report likely to go before councillors in January "to inform the car park budget process for 2005/06."

But Coun Galloway said today that that report had just been referring to an issue concerning some street dancers.

"As always we will start to build next year's budget in November, when the preliminary government grant announcement is made," he said. "This includes discussions on charging levels.

"I have made it quite clear that there would be a review of the new 04/05 charges after six months. The charges were first revised from March 1. Any review will therefore go to an executive meeting in September."

He said that other matters - such as providing a late-night Park & Ride service - might happen more quickly.

But he would not be able to explain details of proposals until next Tuesday, when he planned to provide the fourth and last of a series of articles about charges to the paper and when he would also make a statement to the council's executive. The Liberal Democrat leader also attacked a Labour motion to this Thursday's council meeting, which calls for an urgent and immediate review of York's charges and restrictions, because of concerns that some businesses and groups could suffer permanent damage "by the time the council commences its currently proposed review in November."

Coun Galloway claimed: "If Labour's motion was passed on Thursday, then this would delay the review of charging arrangements."

Labour leader Dave Merrett said: "This is just another excuse for not getting on with the job. The review can start next week if they agree to the motion on Thursday. It is time for Councillor Galloway to do the right thing so with can sort this out together."

Updated: 10:33 Tuesday, July 27, 2004