charities will have to pay for parking permits, which they were previously given free of charge.

From April Southend Council will no longer issue permits to six charities including Macmillan nurses, lifeguards and St John Ambulance, as well as three not-for-profit organisations.

Instead, volunteers will have to pay an annual charge per car of £80 to park anywhere in the borough, or £50 for a permit for all areas excluding the town centre. However, charities can apply for a 50 per cent discount and non-charitable organisations for up to 25 per cent off the cost of a permit.

But the permits would still cost too much, according to the charities which rely on generous donations and dedicated volunteers.

Southend Citizens’ Advice Bureau is given 30 permits for Seaway car park, which can be used by any of its 100 plus staff and volunteers. They are concerned it may mean each volunteer will need a permit for their car.

Manager Trish Carpenter said: “The council has not been in touch as yet, but we would make representations about the difficulties it would create for us in terms of the parking costs our voluntary advisors would incur. Any additional expenditure would be difficult for us to fund as a charity.”

Macmillan nurses from Havens Hospices, who visit terminally ill people in their own homes, will also be affected by the charges.

Peter Marriner, director of finance and operations for Havens, said: “Although the charity will now need to buy discounted parking permits, it will mean our nurses will almost certainly have guaranteed parking outside a patient’s home.”

None of the charities the Echo spoke to had been informed of the changes. Because of this, St John Ambulance declined to comment.

Other charities given free permits include Southend Age Concern and Southend YMCA, which could not be reached for comment.

The not-for-profit organisations affected are Southend Hospital breast screening unit, the witness service whose volunteers support people giving evidence in court, and Estuary Housing Association.

Andrew Lewis, the council’s corporate director of enterprise, tourism and the environment, said the move would encourage people to use public transport.

He said: “Our aim is to persuade organisations to support and promote these policies by encouraging staff to use greener, healthier, more sustainable modes of transport.”

Chalkwell Lifeguards provide patrols, first aid and rescue cover along the seafront during the summer months.

On average, 12 members are on patrol.

They currently have four free annual permits, and were furious they would now have to pay.

Club captain Nick Luff said paying for permits could have huge implications on the club’s future.

He said: “This has come as a complete shock. We are a self funding community group that saves lives on the seafront. To charge us up to £80 for a parking permit seems ridiculous.

“We are technically an emergency service and our vehicles while on duty are emergency vehicles.

“Our volunteers will have to swallow the cost of these permits and may not be able to or willing to.”

The lifeguards have two designated free parking bays, at their base near their Chalkwell Shelter. These will remain when the new charges are brought in.

vAS part of the new parking policy, cut-price permits will be offered to health professionals and carers. The council said the permits are available at substantially reduced rates to those charged for businesses and residents. In the past, these workers have not been offered reduced price permits. Andrew Lewis, Southend Council’s corporate director of enterprise, tourism and the environment, said: “Permits may be issued to health professionals and carers with a justifiable need for use of a vehicle during the course of their daily duties.” NHS South East Essex said the move would help staff such as district nurses on house calls. Sarah St-Pierre, a director of NHS South East Essex, said: “The impact of the economic downturn means all of the public sector needs to work together to find more efficient ways to serve residents. “We look forward to more information about the parking permits.” Southend Hospital welcomed the news. Malcolm McFrederick, director of operations, said: “Since the mobile breast screening unit moved to Warrior Square in October, breast screening staff have paid the daily parking rate of £8 per person.”