CAR parking and burial charges in Colchester could be set to rise to help fund “essential services” as part of what council bosses have described as a “tough decision”.
Colchester Council has proposed a “modest rise” to various fees and charges for 2024/25.
The plans include a string of charges and increases which will affect residents living in - and visitors to - the city.
Some of the services which will be impacted include the cost of planning applications and the use of various sports and leisure facilities.
Among the proposals is also an increase in car parking charges, with fees set for an inflationary increase of at least 6.7 per cent on most tariffs, excluding those in West Mersea, Dedham and Wivenhoe.
There will also be an above-inflation increase for Butt Road and Napier Road (North and South) car parks.
In Butt Road and Napier Road, it currently costs £1.50 to park for up to four hours, however this tariff is now set to be removed.
This means motorists will now only be able to purchase a day rate ticket.
For Butt Road this will now rise from £3 to £3.80 on all days, and to £3.80 for Napier Road Monday to Saturday, or £3.30 on Sundays.
Both sites will see the evening charge from 6pm until 6am also increase.
The cost of cremations and burials is also going up, which will unlikely go down well with those looking to say goodbye to their loved ones in a dignified way.
Plans outline a standard adult cremation will rise from £908 to £948.
Meanwhile, an adult burial at single depth (137cm) will rise from £810 to £880, and a double depth burial (183cm), will go from £960 to £1,030.
Council bosses have said the proposed increases are in response to the “significant budget gap created” by the coronavirus pandemic and cost of living crisis.
They also stressed the rises are “in line with the prevailing rate of inflation and are necessary to help the council fund essential services".
Colchester Council portfolio holder for resources Mark Cory said: “We recognise any increase in fees and charges can be a strain on residents and businesses, but it is essential the council balances the books to provide all of the vital services.
“Councils across the country are failing. Colchester Council is not in the same place, because we have taken the tough decisions and spread the burden of costs.
“We have carefully considered the impact of these increases and have taken steps to ensure that they are fair and equitable and will not have a disproportionate impact on low-income households.
“These proposed increases are essential to maintain the high-quality services our community depends on.”
The proposals were subject to a thorough review by Ethical Consulting 18 months ago, which found the council was “undercharging compared to other providers for a number of services”.
As well as the increases, the council said it has also proposed a number of discounts and exemptions to help those who are most in need.
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