Plans to not raise parking charges in the East Riding this year
It's in an effort to help small businesses
Parking charges in the East Riding will not rise this year under proposals made by the council’s ruling Conservative group.
East Riding Council’s ruling Conservative group decided to hold charges at their current rates in an effort to help small businesses as inflation continues to dog the economy.
Cllr Jane Evison, the council’s economy and tourism portfolio holder, said hiking charges this year would not make sense adding the council would continue to support high streets.
It comes as councillors are set to vote on the draft East Riding budget in February ahead of the start of the next financial year in April.
The budget sets council spending on its services and the rate of council tax, as well as funding for capital projects and grants for other organisations like charities.
The budget proposals include hiking council tax by 4.99 per cent, excluding police, fire and town and parish council levies, to see off a looming £36m deficit by 2027.
The move also comes a year after councillors voted against introducing charges at free car parks despite proposals recommending them to help balance the 2021-22 budget.
The proposals on car parking charges and all others made in the draft budget and by the ruling Conservative and opposition Liberal Democrats will be debated in February.
This year’s budget meeting, where council tax increases and hikes on fees, levies and charges will be voted on, is set for Thursday, February 9.
Cllr Evison said the decision on car parking charges had her full backing.
The portfolio holder said: “During the last three years, our group has been totally supportive of the financial support East Riding Council has given to our high street.
“Introducing changes to the car parking policy in the present economic climate just doesn’t make sense.
“I will continue to do what I can to support our high street and high street businesses.”