An increase to the Town Centre's parking charges will be among a number of considerations put in front of Melton Borough Council's Cabinet during a meeting this evening (Wednesday.)
In a report by the Assistant Director For Resources it suggests that fees across the town's car parks should rise 'as soon as pracitcally possible' once the relevant legal and practical steps have been undertaken.
The report states that a 1 hour stay in a short stay car park will increase from £1.20 to £1.40 whlie a 2 hour stay will jump from £2.30 to £2.80.
An all day fee in a long stay car park will rise from £4.50 to £5.40 and an annual season ticket, which can only be used in long stay car parks, from £450 to £540.
The charges will be on tonight's Cabinet agenda held at Parkside. Photo: NEMM
The report says that Cabinet has considered the following proposition which seeks to respond both to the inflationary pressures over the last four years and the desire to continue supporting the town centre, whilst also ensuring compliance with the Council’s legal obligations: A general below inflation increase of 20%, Except that the weekly charge at long stay car parks is capped at £17. The number of “free” parking bays in the St Mary Street car park be increased from 7 to 9 and the length of permitted stay is increased from 20 minutes to 30 minutes.
In order to implement the new charges there are a number of actions which need to be undertaken before they can be enforced. The council suggest the next steps to be Fabricate and install new signage across all car parks to include new charges, Reline bays in St Marys Car Park to enable additional 2 bays, Update ticket machines with new charging schedule, Update parking app with new fees.
The report also suggests not to increase any charges on cemertery fees or the allotment scheme where the last increase was in 2023-24.
The councils Charging Policy outlines that fees and charges should annually be subject to a detailed review and, should at least, increase in line with the rate of inflation as part of the budget setting process.
The rate of inflation will be set by the Section 151 officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Resources which has been set at 5% for 2025-26 to reflect a blend of CPI rates, projected salary increases and other external factors which impact on the cost of delivering council services.
The fees and charges for 2025-26 are on the agenda for tonight's cabinet meeting held at Melton Borough Council's Parkside offices at 4:30pm. You can watch the meeting live or on playback on Youtube, here: https://youtube.com/live/FJIISuoexvc?feature=share
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