Car park changes to be extended

Evening and Sunday charges are to be introduced in the district's car parks, along with the removal of all free parking periods.

The measure is being introduced following the adoption of the council's annual budget in March, which also saw large increases in the costs of Residents Parking Zones permits.

The introduction of Sunday charging is expected increase revenue by £70,000 as the council tries to balance its budget in the face of falling government grants.

The Council is facing increased costs due to supply chain shortages as a result of HGV driver shortages and Brexit trade delays.

The Council is required to set a balanced budget each year. The Local Government Finance Act 1992 requires the Council to estimate revenue expenditure and income for the forthcoming year from all sources, together with contributions from reserves, in order to determine a net budget requirement to be met by government grant, Business Rates and Council Tax.

The council is constrained in the amount of money it can raise through council tax and the government has cut funding to local authorities by 37% between 2009-2020.

The extended charges are expected to be introduced in October.

Full details of the proposals can be found on East Herts Council's website at www.eastherts.gov.uk/highways-and-parking/parking-traffic-regulation-orders.