Price of everything from bins to hypnosis set to rise in York

The cost of some parking permits, garden waste collections and other council services may increase under the local authority’s budget proposals.

City of York Council’s Liberal Democrat and Green Party-led administration is set to raise council tax by 4.99 per cent in April, as it reels from the impact of the pandemic.

In addition to raising more money, the council will look to make £7.9 million of savings in the next year – double the amount of savings it planned to make under the last budget.

Under the budget proposals

• the cost of new garden waste bins will rise from £39 to £40
• the price of the first household ResPark permit will be frozen – but the cost of a second permit will rise from £187.50 to £192.50, with third, fourth, business and guesthouse permits also increasing in price
• season tickets for car parks will increase in price
• the cost of bulky household waste collections and replacement bins (not recycling containers) will all rise by £1
• the price of weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and baby naming ceremonies at the registry office will rise by between £4 and £17

The council is also set to increase the fees for developers – including the costs around getting planning permission such as advice from officers, letters and land charges.

Taxi fees go up

The price of many licences will also rise including the cost of a sex establishment licence, a licence for a house in multiple occupation – and a hypnotism licence.

Taxi drivers will face a rise in costs for almost all services – including vehicle inspections, drivers licences and changes of name and address on documents.

Cllr Nigel Ayre, executive member for finance and performance, said: “At the start of the pandemic to assist residents and businesses during this difficult period, the council made the decision not to increase some fees and charges, which were agreed in February 2020 and were due to be implemented in April 2020.

“The impact of the pandemic compounded by the Government’s broken promises and decades of underfunding has meant that, like many other local authorities, in particular those with social care responsibilities, we are left facing tough decisions.

“In order to achieve a balanced budget and make sure we can protect and invest in key services it has been necessary to increase some fees and charges for 2021/22, which were to be implemented last year.

“Even within this current context, there are certain fee increases planned for this year which will now be frozen, in order to support the local economy and help the city recover.

“Overall our budget proposals recognise the need to balance the council’s books in the face of unprecedented challenges, to ensure we can continue providing crucial services which are needed now more than ever.

“These proposals will enable us to bolster spending on adult social care and increase support for children and young people, as we continue to see demand for services increase.”

Budget papers warn some council jobs will be lost in the next year – but not further details have been released yet. The budget will be discussed at a full council meeting on February 25.