By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
There are serious concerns over plans to hike residential parking permits by 26 per cent and introduce a £30 charge for family carers in Gloucestershire.
More than 100 people have so far signed a petition calling on Gloucestershire County Council to drop the proposed increase which councillors are due to vote on tomorrow (February 18).
Under the latest plans, the annual cost for the first permit will rise to £80 a year from £63.30 and the second permit for a household will cost £160 up from £127.35.
Business permits will cost £400, up from £339.90 and a second permit would cost £500.
These are expected to increase further over the next three years to make the service cost neutral for the council.
A fee of £30 will be introduced for carers permits which the council says is to cover administration.
Cheltenham resident Ian Weaving, who set up the petition, has written to councillors expressing his “serious concerns” over the plans and is calling on them to reconsider.
He has also criticised the decision to benign chagrin family carers for permits that were previously free.
“At a time when households are already under sustained financial pressure, a 26 per cent increase cannot reasonably be described as modest,” he said.
“While it may be presented as ‘only a small amount per week’, that framing misses the point.
“For many residents, small increases across multiple bills quickly add up. A percentage rise of this scale feels significant and disproportionate.
“The decision to charge family carers is particularly troubling. These individuals provide essential, often unpaid support to vulnerable residents.
“Introducing new costs for them sends the wrong message and risks discouraging the very care that helps people remain in their homes and reduces wider pressure on public services.
“I am also concerned about the impact on local businesses. Our high streets are already struggling with rising costs, reduced footfall, and economic uncertainty. Increasing business permit charges at this time risks placing yet another burden on traders who are doing their best to survive.”
Deputy leader Colin Hay (LD, Oakley) said the Liberal Democrat administration is putting forward a budget they are proud of investing millions into roads, schools, adult social care, recycling centres, nature recovery and our fire and rescue service and the planned increase in charges are needed for this.
“In order to deliver our ambitions, we have had to go through our budget with a fine-tooth comb to produce the monetary headroom we need,” he said.
“This included an independent organisation to carry out a comprehensive review of our fees and charges.
“They highlighted resident permits which had been frozen for the last 13 years. Instead of being cost neutral, they now show a deficit of -£209,719.00 in 25/26 rising to -£292,516 in 26/27.
“It found that the cost of running and enforcing permit schemes is no longer covered by the amount residents currently pay. We simply cannot afford for this situation to continue.
“This means we have had to propose an increase in the cost of permits to reduce the deficit. Currently, the annual permits are paid as a single payment, currently £63.60 for the first permit and £127.35 for the second.
“For many, especially those on low incomes, they find it difficult to pay for the permit as a lump sum. That is why we have introduced the ability to pay monthly to spread the load to make it easier to pay.
“So from April a first permit will cost £6.67p per month – a rise of £1.21 per month – and the second permit will cost £13.34 per month – a rise of £2.42 per month.”