Council parking charge freeze 'may have cost £1m'

A freeze on parking charges in parts of south Devon might have cost a council £1m, according to a new report.

It comes as South Hams District Council's executive committee will discuss the findings and whether to raise parking charges for the first time since 2021.

The report said charges in the area were "significantly lower" than other districts.

The committee will meet on Thursday, before a series of public consultations begin.

Under the plans there will be a discount scheme for permanent residents, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The report said: “In recognition of the cost of living crisis and challenging economic environment, the council has continued to absorb these increases and has not passed on those costs to service users, but is not able to continue to do so.”

The plans include a tiered system of charges, with some car parks serving main shopping areas designated as premium, while less busy ones will be classed as standard.

The consultations will be carried out in the main towns affected, including Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Ivybridge.

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