An extraordinary meeting has been called over the decision to abolish 15 minute free parking and replace it with a free hour of parking at lunchtime.

At the Waltham Forest council cabinet meeting on December 15, the Labour administration voted to scrap the parking scheme.

It will be replaced with a free hour of parking from 1pm to 2pm in town centres across Waltham Forest.

The extraordinary meeting's report states that the decision was made because drivers were confused over the introduction of a mandatory 10 minute grace period policy by the government in April last year.

It goes on to explain that government’s new policy makes it “extremely difficult” to enforce the 15 minute free parking policy and it is “no longer sustainable” to enforce it.

Cllr Matt Davis, leader of the Waltham Forest Conservatives, called the extraordinary scrutiny meeting in order to challenge Labour to reverse their decision.

He believes it will have a detrimental effect on local businesses.

Cllr Davis said: “The Conservatives and local businesses lobbied long and hard for free parking to help our town centres and at a stroke Labour have undone all this hard work.

“We should be supporting our businesses not making life harder for them.

“Labour’s justification for the change in policy is at best a misunderstanding of the law, at worst it is a downright deceit.

“Whether it is incompetence or dishonesty, there needs to be a serious and swift rethink of this misguided change.

“We will be calling for a reversal of this policy at the scrutiny meeting at the town hall.

“It would be really good if local residents and business owners could come to the meeting too and ensure their voices are heard.

“I hope as many as possible attend.”

The Neighbourhood Scrutiny Committee will take place at 7.30pm on January 13 at Waltham Forest Town Hall, in Walthamstow.