THE main towns and villages in West Somerset will be asked for their views on decriminalising parking in the district.
At the same time, investigations will be carried out into how much a feasibility study into the introduction of decriminalised parking enforcement (DPE) would cost.
The move comes after members of West Somerset District Council's overview and scrutiny committee called on cabinet members to take action on the issue of DPE.
They had been told by the authority's internal auditors that no such study had ever been carried out by the council, despite a widely held belief within the authority that DPE was not a viable option.
Auditors Deloitte Touche concluded that there was simply not enough information available to make a decision on whether DPE could be introduced successfully in West Somerset.
Under DPE, penalty notices for parking offences would be issued by and paid to the local authority, rather than through a court fine.
The police would retain responsibility for "moving traffic offences" and for offences that could lead to points being put on a driver's licence - for example, parking on the zigzags before a pedestrian crossing.
Cabinet members were told the only way DPE could ever be successful in West Somerset was if it had the full support of all the main towns and parishes.
If that was the case, Somerset County Council could then be asked to help carry out a feasibility study.
Council leader Cllr Steven Pugsley said: "We need the major councils interested in it then we can go forward.
"In the meantime, we could find out how much a feasibility study would cost."
Cabinet members agreed to ask councils in Minehead, Dulverton, Watchet, Williton, Porlock and Stogursey for their views, with the results reported back to cabinet before the end of the year.