Car park charges to be frozen for next financial year

Car park charges across Shropshire will be frozen during the coming year as Shropshire Council works with traders to try to encourage shoppers into town centres.

The charging freeze is one of a number of recommendations contained in a report to the council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 11 January 2012, which looks at how much the council charges for certain services.

Councillors had previously agreed in December 2010 that all fees and charges which the council has control over – known as discretionary charges – would go up by inflation plus 4% on a yearly basis.  But that is now being reviewed to allow more flexibility over the prices charged for certain services – with many being frozen or even reduced.

Public entry fees at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms are being reduced, while among the charges remaining the same are car parking charges, pest control fees, library fees, and the music and arts service, which provides music tuition and instrument hire. 

There are some increases being proposed, mostly in leisure centre prices, room hire fees, some licences, and charges for printing planning applications.

The full list of proposed changes is contained in Appendix 2 of paper 11 ‘Income Review’, attached to the Cabinet agenda, which can be seen by clicking this link.

Council leader, Keith Barrow, said:

“I felt it was important we had a thorough look at how much we charge for these services, taking into account what people have been telling us and bearing in mind the current economic situation.  We absolutely appreciate it’s tough for people at the moment and I think people will appreciate anything we can do to help.

“We are also doing what we can to encourage shoppers to use their local town centres by freezing car park charges, which I’m sure will be welcomed by local traders.  As well as this, the council’s proportion of council tax has been frozen for the next financial year which will be another welcome boost for householders.”