Parking charges are likely to rise across Herefordshire from April as the council seeks ways of balancing its books.

Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for finance Coun Pete Stoddart told colleagues on Friday there would be a “small” increase in parking charges, consisting of “a deferred increase over last two years of 10p, so a total of 20p”.

True Independents leader Coun Bob Matthews said he was “very perturbed” by the proposed rise, which “will do nothing for our economy, it will drive people away, [leading to] shops closing and a loss of jobs and rates”.

RELATED NEWS:

He would “probably” table an amendment to counter this when the council’s budget plans come before a full meeting of councillors in the new year, he added.

The council runs over 50 car parks with over 4,000 spaces in Hereford and the market towns, from which it raised £3.3 million in 2021.

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

Coun Stoddart also confirmed the council plans to save £4.5 million by persuading 100 employees to take voluntary early retirement.

Coun Matthews worried that “there is a danger we will lose some of more capable and experienced officers, with a detrimental effect on the council”.

Council leader Coun Jonathan Lester said the scheme “will be a challenge to implement, but focused in a way that will ensure key services are not affected”.

“This is a consultation, a draft; we welcome comments from everyone,” he added.