Ipswich council to increase permit parking prices in autumn

On Tuesday next week, Ipswich Borough Council's executive committee will discuss plans to increase parking permits gradually between October 2024 and October 2028. 

This has been recommended by the portfolio holder for culture and customs, councillor Jane Riley, as she believes the council's surplus on resident parking will be depleted within three years at the current rate, the report said.

The council has reported a loss of £34,747 from the residents' parking scheme account in 2023/24.

Cllr Jane Riley said that at the current rate, the parking surplus will be depleted in three years. (Image: Ipswich Borough Council)

Even with the proposed changes, the council will only be making a profit in the 2028/29 financial year, of £28,361.

If the plans are approved the greatest year-on-year increase will be in business permits, which will increase by £20 each year for the next five financial years.

This means by 2028/29 business permits would have increased from £300 to £400. 

Ipswich Borough Council is also set to introduce a place of worship permit at £40 a year. 

Plans include permits for Bethesda Baptist Church. (Image: Google Maps)

At the moment, 25 permits each are being provided by the council to Bethesda Baptist Church and St Mary-at-the-Elms Church for their congregation park on Sundays for three hours.  

In a pre-meeting report, an officer wrote: "No charge is made for the permits and their introduction dates back to when charges were first imposed for on-street public parking in Ipswich.  

"The council makes a loss on issuing these permits."

Resident parking permits are set to increase by £2 a year. (Image: Archant)

The report suggests a fee of £40 a year for both churches, which the council says will be an 83% discount on the price for three-hour parking.

It also suggested that the price of school permits be increased from £25 to £40 a year. 

Resident and carers' permits are set to increase in price by £2 a year and visitor permits by £1 a year for the next five years. 

Trade permits will increase by £5 in October, and refund admin fees will increase from £10 to £12.50. 

Time clock permits for on-street parking will remain consistently at £5 for the foreseeable future. 

This increase comes after the council's increased prices on car parks in Ipswich, which will start in September. 

READ MORE: Ipswich council to increase parking prices from September

Similar increases in residents' parking permits were also seen in 2021 and 2022.

The council's executive will decide on these changes during the meeting next Tuesday.