An impending council crackdown in Watford's controlled parking zones will see abusers denied visitor vouchers and health worker permits revoked and reissued at a higher price.

Watford Borough Council is set to ratify changes to the town's parking scheme policies after a task force concluded there has been a "disappointing escalation" in systematic abuses.

The changes will enable harsher punishments and better hone in on opportunists - including residents who reuse their vouchers and community health workers who have been allowed to use their work permits for social reasons.

The task force recommendations propose an amendment to the traffic regulation order (TRO) to allow for the revocation of vouchers when they are abused and confirm that all minutes on visitor vouchers must be scratched, including the zero.

A report presented to the council's cabinet this week said that under the current regulations the parking service had no power to act on abuse of the voucher scheme, and the proposed amendment would allow residents who did not comply with the system to be penalised.

Doctor and health visitor permits (DHV) were also scrutinised.

Councillor Karen Collett, task force chairman, said DHV permits were cheaper than residents’ permits and drivers were using them for personal and social reasons rather than for work.

The review recommended revoking all current DHV permits and reissuing them under a new pricing structure, which was suggested as £25 for the first five permits for any one organisation and subsequent permits to be £55 each.

In addition, vehicles with business permits will no longer be allowed to be parked up for the whole day but expected to be used during business hours.

However, late night enforcement will remain the same as it is currently with officers not monitoring residential roads after 6.30pm except in cases of specific complaints.

Cabinet chairman, Elected Mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill, said: "What's come out of this report for me is why abusers of the system actually undermine the system.

"These amendments are about strengthening our powers sensitively."

In particular, Mayor Thornhill criticised the lack of monitoring on health worker permits.

She said: "The permits for health care workers in the area are not shopping vouchers and it's disappointing that's been allowed to escalate - how many organisations have and whether they still need them needs to be assessed.

"They should be parking during work hours, it's the same principle as with businesses."

Council staff permits, which are issued on a 'pool' basis, were also reviewed - the task force suggested a formal criterion for application of these permits be created and established in the TRO.

The council is due to agree the report at its next meeting.