Parking permit fees in Ipswich could see increase to prevent loss

Parking permit fees in a Suffolk town could increase over the next four years to prevent a budget loss.

Members of Ipswich’s executive are due to meet on Tuesday to consider Cllr Jane Riley’s proposals to increase parking permit fees.

Although the council currently has a £167,253 surplus on its parking scheme account, it is predicting the money will be depleted in about three years, putting extra pressure on its general fund budget.

As such, Cllr Riley is proposing smaller increases every year to avoid a large hike in three years.

The increases, which would apply only to fees within the resident parking scheme, would mean a first resident permit would increase by £2 annually from the current £60 to £70 by the 2028/29 financial year, while second resident permits would increase from £120 to £140 in the same timeframe.

On top of this, business permits would increase from £300 to £400 in £20 increments, while carers’ permits would increase from £15 to £25 in £2 increments — these are issued to statutory care organisations such as the NHS and have only been increased once in more than 15 years, the report states.

Proposals were also included in the council papers for a £40 fee per permit per year for places of worship, such as St Mary-at-the-Elms Church, and an increase from £25 to £40 per year for school permits, capped at 50 per school — these are expected to generate an extra £5,500 for the council every year.