A GREEN Party councillor has ripped up his free council car park pass - and called on his colleagues to do the same.

On the back of a public outcry over increased parking prices in York, Andy D'Agorne will on Tuesday call for free parking passes for councillors to be scrapped, at the full meeting of City of York Council.

Councillors can park for free in council car parks if they are on official business, as long as they are not in the St Leonard's or Shambles car park.

Coun D'Agorne said the council's expenses panel should suggest alternatives to the car park pass, such as bus passes for councillors. He welcomed the cycle allowance that is already in place and encouraged more members to get on their bikes.

Coun D'Agorne said: "It is a bit hypocritical for free parking to be available to councillors when charges are going to go up across council-run car parks." Council transport chief Ann Reid said the free pass was not a perk, as it was only used by councillors on official business.

She said at all other times councillors paid to use the car parks, and she would be spending £84 a year on an evening car park permit.

Coun Reid said: "Councillors being able to use the car parks helps with efficiency. Some work some distance out of York and rush to get to council meetings straight after work.

"Some members do use alternative transport, we do a lot of car sharing and are capping the amount of mileage in the green travel plan."

Updated: 09:20 Saturday, February 21, 2004