Parking violations in Banbury will become the responsibility of Cherwell District Council under new plans put forward by the government.

Proposals to be introduced on March 31 next year will decriminalise parking offences, enabling local authorities to enforce traffic regulation instead of the police. The changes would require more traffic wardens, but the scheme would be self-financing.

Cllr George Reynolds said: "Setting up the scheme will cost £20,000. We are taking over a police role but not getting any money towards the extra responsibility. The scheme will have to be self-financing, but that doesn't mean wardens will be given targets to achieve."

The executive agreed to research an integrated parking policy for urban areas.