Worthing BC is in a legal dispute with the parking contractor, NCP, after it decided to take back the running of council-owned car parks in the borough.
NCP is claiming more than £600,000 compensation over allegations Worthing breached its contract with the firm, according to the council.
But the authority vigorously denies any breach of contract and has accused NCP of 'trying to take every penny it can' after losing the ten-year agreement.
Council leader Paul Yallop said: 'I am extremely disappointed our relationship with NCP is ending acrimoniously and we are making every effort to protect taxpayer money.'
