Free parking is on the way for Welshpool in the build up to Christmas and Powys Council cabinet members are footing the bill in unclaimed allowances.
The cabinet members have turned down £47,000 in 'special salary payments' to fund the free parking scheme.
A statement from the council said: "Powys County Council’s cabinet voted unanimously that free parking be available in all Pay and Display car parks from 10am onwards each day, commencing on the morning of Saturday, December 8 for three key weekends and two working weeks on the run up to Christmas.
The concession would end on the evening of Monday, December 24 and would be subject to the additional deficit in the car parking budget arising from the one-off initiative being wholly funded by a contribution of £47k from Cabinet Members non acceptance of their Special Salaries in full.
"If the initiative is to be repeated in the future, the revised budget will need to reflect the reduced income from car parks on the run up to Christmas."
Leader of Powys County Council David Jones said: " We put this proposal forward last year but the then Administration rejected it.
"This year Powys County Council is able to use the money saved by cabinet members taking a pay cut. We want the message to go out to all Powys residents, shopkeepers and business people that the Council is on your side. This Christmas, shop in Powys, the parking will be free and you will be helping local business"