Recommendations for changes to car parking charges in Perth and Kinross will be discussed by the Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday 23 March.  The Council has a policy of reviewing parking charges every two years. The last increase was made in March 2010. 

Money raised through the Council’s parking account is used to provide for the operation of the parking service, and to support various maintenance and new projects. At the Council’s Budget setting meeting in February, elected members agreed to increase car parking charges to achieve an overall 10% increase in income, so that that the parking account can continue to meet its financial commitments. 

The E&I Committee will be asked to approve a 10p rise in parking charges from April 1st 2012. The minimum coin value accepted by the majority of ticket machines is 10p, so this is the lowest increase possible. 

The Committee will be asked to agree: 

• To increase the basic one-hour parking charge in Perth from 80p to 90p, with consequential increases in other charging bands. 
• To increase the cost of Resident's Permits for the Controlled Parking Zone in Perth from £175 to £190 for the inner zone and from £100 to £110 in the outer zone. 
• To increase the basic one-hour parking charge in car parks outside Perth from 70p to 80p, with consequential increases in other charging bands. 
• To increase the charges in Bell’s Sports Centre and the Rodney Pavilion car parks 

Charges only apply between the hours of 8am - 6pm Monday to Saturday. Parking is free during the evening, overnight and on Sundays. 

Enterprise and Infrastructure Vice Convener, Councillor Ann Gaunt, explained “We have not looked at car parking charges since March 2010. Inflationary and budgetary pressures have to be taken into account and I believe this proposed increase is a fair one. Even with the proposed increase, the cost of parking in Perth will be broadly similar to that in nearby Scottish cities such as Dundee and Stirling. 

"The primary purpose of the parking account is to provide for the operation of the parking service. This allows us to operate and maintain our parking areas and ensure we can provide modern, safe parking facilities in Perth and Kinross. 

“It is estimated that the increased charges will create additional income each year of around £250,000. This will help us to develop and improve parking infrastructure in Perth and Kinross, and carry out maintenance to existing car parks.”