Once again, Craven District Council is tackling the thorny issue of charging at its currently-free village car parks.

To its credit, this time around, it has asked its overview and scrutiny committee to consider the proposals, consult widely with parish councils and residents and then make recommendations to the decision-making policy committee.

On Monday, much time was given over to the question of what to do with car parks in Bentham, Cross Hills, Embsay, Hellifield, Gargrave and Farnhill.

Councillors also considered the question of charging at Craven Pool car park, where students and staff at next-door Craven College operate a system of “swapsies” to make use of free, three- hour parking to avoid buying an £8 day ticket.

With the exception of the pool car park, where councillors supported bringing in a charge, recommendations from the council’s car parking manager that charging be brought in at other sites were all dismissed.

An alternative recommendation to dispose of some car parks was also rejected by councillors who, despite being warned an upsurge in land values was unlikely for 20 years, felt it would be better to hang onto the council assets and wait for the market to improve.

In the majority of villages, the feeling among councillors was to maintain the status quo, but at Bentham and Gargrave, councillors recommended approaching parish councils to see if they would like to take on the responsibility.

Clearly, the officers, charged with looking at ways of saving money, would like to offload car parks - even without the cost of pay and display machines, there are business rates to pay, and expensive maintenance.

Residents will have left Monday’s meeting thinking all is well and good. Sadly, councillors were just making recommendations. It will be up to the policy committee in January to decide - and the council is under pressure to save, or make, money.