Hastings pay-and-display parking charge freeze wins backing
Hastings council leaders have backed plans to freeze most parking charges next year.
Hastings Borough Council cabinet members endorsed proposals for its planned charges for the 2027/28 financial year at a meeting on November 9.
The plans, which will be put to a full council vote, include car parking; sports court hire; licensing and applications; and beach hut and chalet rentals.
Cabinet member for finance Darren Mackenzie (Green) said: “We have deliberately avoided a blanket increase.
“It has been more than 600 individual charges that have been reviewed against affordability, cost recovery, demand, market conditions and statutory requirements.
“That is why core parking tariffs, sports charges and many museum charges are being frozen. Targeted increases are proposed where they are necessary and, critically, justified.
“The report is about getting the balance right. Residents rightly expect us to look after public services and facilities, whilst also being mindful of the pressures facing households, businesses and community groups.”
The proposals include plans to freeze pay-and-display parking charges at current levels, following three years of increases
The price of the council’s longer term parking permits will still increase. These increases will vary by type of ticket and location.
The report also proposes freezing most of the costs of hiring the council’s sports courts and pitches. The only exception would be the pay and play for council tennis courts, which could be set to increase from £5.50 to £6 per session.
The council is proposing to increase the cost of its beach huts and chalets by 3.8 per cent.
There are also proposals for a 2.8 per cent inflationary increase for commercial event fees, with plans to introduce “advance payment requirement for operators with persistent cancellation histories.” Charity and not-for-profit exemptions will continue under the proposals.
Some of the council’s fees and charges will increase as they are set nationally by the government.
If implemented, the proposed fees and charges would be expected to generate approximately £7.4 million of income in 2027/28. A report says this would be reduction in income of £35,190 when compared with 2026/27.
Officers say this reduction is primarily due to the planned partial closure of the West Clif Railway associated with the West Hill Café development and the continuing decline in cremation activity.