COUNCIL workers could soon be given the power to hand fines to problem parkers killing off town centre trade. Police officers are in the early stages of devising a plan to give North Somerset Council workers the power to hand out parking fines under the C

COUNCIL workers could soon be given the power to hand fines to problem parkers killing off town centre trade.Police officers are in the early stages of devising a plan to give North Somerset Council workers the power to hand out parking fines under the Community Safety Accreditation Initiative.Police have also promised town centre traders they are patrolling for at least three hours a day to try to move cars from outside their shops, but say it would be a lot easier if the council took over the responsibility for parking, like in other areas of the country.North Somerset Councillor John Crockford-Hawley said because of regulations and the need to draw up a business plan this could not happen until 2008.He said: "The sooner we can take over the better. The current situation with no traffic wardens is unsatisfactory."When it comes into force we will be employing our own wardens.