THEY are the council leaders who want residents to pay to park on the road outside their homes.

But a majority of them will not have to worry about paying the new charge themselves.

A Daily Echo investigation has revealed that most will avoid the new charges as they have driveways and garages to keep their own cars off the street.

The Labour and Liberal Democrat Cabinet councillors agreed the controversial plan to charge for all parking permits last week They want residents to pay for a permit to park outside their own homes.

But even if they do cough up there is still no guarantee of a parking space. Under current rules the first parking permit is free with residents having to pay £57 if they want a secondsecond.

Now the council wants residents to pay for the first.

At the moment only residents living in certain parts of the city need a permit.

Despite agreeing the new parking policy last week the council has been unable to say which areas of the city will be affected and how much the permits will cost.

The decision has sparked an outcry among residents and has led to the Daily Echo's Parking Mad campaign demanding a U-turn in the policy.

Today the Cabinet members, who can claim allowances of more than £21,000, have been accused of"double standards" over the charging plans.

Council leader June Bridle, who uses a driveway at her Sholing bungalow, defended the policy by blaming the city's parking problems on residents who did not use their driveways.

"It's quite clear that if everybody who had them had enough common sense to park on their driveways you would have less of congestion on our streets."

She said: "We have shortage of road space and need people to use their driveways.

"I understand some people will have to pay more to park on the road. But if you're able to park on the road near to your house it's something a lot of people cannot do at the moment, particularly in areas around the hospital and city centre."

Cllr Bridle accused the Conservatives of "playing games" over the new policy which was based on a consultants' report the Conservatives received when they were in office.

Fellow Cabinet member and Liberal Democrat leader councillor Adrian Vinson said while he had off street parking at his detached Portswood house he pointed out "every area in the city has differences of one kind or another".

He said it was reasonable that administration costs for running parking zones in the city were recouped by charges and reinvested.

Councillor Jacqui Rayment (Lab) said she had a driveway for one vehicle at her semi-detached Shirley house and also used the permit zone outside as she had a number of cars in her household.

She said: "I don't think people should be penalised. I did say at cabinet that I had some problems with the parking review though I'm pleased we had a review done.

"I think we do need to have a look at parking in Southampton. My own personal view is that it will cause a number of issues and I hope that the city council will get the management of it right."

Councillor Derek Burke (Lab) said he did have some off-street parking but also used the free and paid-for permits available outside his Shirley semi.

He said: "There has always been a problem with parking in Southampton in general.

"If we could solve that problem we would be heroes because it is a very, very difficult thing.

"The report has been done and the decision has been made - whether it gets looked at again, I don't know.

"If the consultation is not right, then we go out and look at it again."

Cabinet member for transport councillor Jill Baston (Lib Dem) was unreachable for comment at her tree concealed Portswood home, which boasts a large garage and driveway.

Councillors Richard Williams (Lab), who has a large driveway outside his three-storey detached Highfield home, David Beckett (Lib Dem), who has a driveway at his Swaythling semi, and Ann Milton (Lib Dem), who has no off street parking at her Mansbridge home, were also unavailable for comment.

Councillor Peter Marsh-Jenks (Lab) said he had no off street parking and that details of the parking policy had yet to be finalised. He has not revealed where he lives.

Councillor Matt Stevens, who has also kept his address off public record, was unavailable for comment.

Tory transport spokesman councillor Gavin Dick said: "It's hypocritical for them to be asking others to pay to park outside their homes when most of them won't have to pay for it themselves.

"It's double standards."

He said residents paid enough already for their cars through various taxes and duties.

"Just taxing people is not the way forward especially if you cannot guarantee parking spaces.

"They have to change this policy. It's ill thought through.

"They should put their hands up and scrap this."