Going through a phase

Increases in charges for car parking season tickets will be phased in over three years to help ease the financial burden on local people and businesses.

Shepway Council had earlier agreed that the costs of season tickets should rise by 60 per cent on 1 April, as part of its fees and charges strategy. But following public consultation, Cabinet on Wednesday agreed that the increase should be staggered over three years.

The cost of a three-month season ticket will go up from £90 to £100, a six-month ticket will go up from £180 to £200 and a yearly ticket will rise from £360 to £400 on 1 April.

The report to Cabinet also set out a framework for future charges.

Cllr David Monk, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: "We decided to stagger the changes over three years. The economy has worsened in the last few months and this is just one of the ways we can help support local businesses and communities, as well as showing that we respond to public opinion."