Rochford residents to face council tax increases plus higher car parking fees with this year's budget

Rochford District Council agreed a 1.93 per cent increase in council tax for everyone living in the district.

Other proposals put forward, but not yet approved, included a plan to close every public toilet in Rochford District and introduce an annual £40 fee to take away green waste from people’s homes.

Although car parking charges increased, there was some good news as parking in all the council-run car parks in Rochford district will still be free after 7pm instead of the proposed 9pm.

The council also kept free parking on Saturday afternoons and scrapped the current parking charges at Hockley Woods.

But people visiting Cherry Orchard Country Park in Rochford will now have to pay to park their cars for the first time.

John Mason, Rochford District Residents councillor for Hawkwell West, felt the plan was a lot better than in past years.

He said: “I’m really pleased to have such a good five year plan in front of us. It’s much better than what we had in the past.

“Residents knew that there would be severe cuts in local government funding last May when they went to the general election polls.

“So we will not be opposing this budget because the majority of residents generally know where we are and why. But it still needs explaining to them.

“Some of the increases are in council tax, some are in fees and charges and others involve reserves. This hides the true picture.”

Councillor Simon Smith asked to amend the plans for car parking charges and councillors agreed.

He wanted to keep car parking free after 7pm, instead of charging up until 9pm.

Mr Smith said the council could increase parking charges in the daytime to make up the extra cash needed, adding: “The revenue generated by that would be the same generated as the figures proposed by you.”

Talking about the car parking charges, Chris Black, Lib Dem councillor for Downhall and Rawreth, said: “I spent last Friday talking to staff and managers in Rayleigh High Street about the proposed extension and they were concerned, some were very concerned.

“I can see there are two sides to it. Day traders say, ‘our customers have to pay, why don’t restaurants have to pay?’ I’m glad to see it’s been amended.”

Michael Hoy expressed concern over the general increase in parking charges.

He added: “I do have reservations over some of the specific increases in fees to bring about a balances budget. I do have concerns about the increase in parking charges.”

PLANS to rid the district of all public toilets have been met by concern from one councillor.

Proposals have been put forward to close the toilets in Rochford, Rayleigh, Hockley and Hawkwell, as a cost-cutting measure.

Rochford District Council has also tabled the idea of making households pay a one off £40 fee a year to get rid of green waste.

Councillor John Mason said he was worried about the plans.

He said: “I think it’s fraught with danger. We have in a situation where we would either ask businesses, pubs, cafes, etc., to allow their residents to use their loos or it could be on the basis of you allow our residents to use your loos and we pay you for it.

They might turn round and say we don’t want to do that anymore and once the loos are closed, they are gone.”

He also raised the question of how many people would pay a fee every year to have green waste disposed of.

Mr Mason added: “I’m concerned that our contractor will find it difficult. We don’t know how many people will take it up, at £40 a year.

“The issue is we haven’t tested the market or understood how it’s going to affect our contract with Sita.

“The risk is they could put it into the non-recyclable. The risk is increased fly-tipping.

“The good part would be if people did composting themselves, got rid of it themselves and not paid £40.”

What the car park charges across the district will now be:

½ hour – 60p; 1 hour - £1.20; 2 hours – 1.80; 3 hours – 2.60; 4 hours - £3.30; 5 hours - £3.60; All day – £5.50

The car park at Cherry Orchard for the first time will now have charges, just like the other car parks in the District.