Council nets £9m income

Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council has raked in nearly £3 million from car parking and the town’s bus station alone, in the last financial year.The figures have been released in a report to the head of finance which will be discussed by borough councillors next week.

The report shows the authority had received a total of £9,482,487 income from major sources by March 31 this year.

Car parking, the bus station and interest on investments brought in the most cash followed by the cemeteries and crematorium, which made £952,151, the swimming centre which made £727,162 and town planning fees which brought in £567,657.

Many assets made more than finance bosses estimated during the year although trade refuse made only £657,023 despite an estimated receipt of £721,320.

The report compares the figures to those from last year during the same period, showing a marked increase. Parking and bus station income - totalling £2.76 million - has risen by £300,000 while cemeteries and the crematorium income has risen by more than £120,000.

The report says this rise is due to the increase in the number of cremations during the winter period.

It adds that the income on car parks and the bus station is mainly due to the delayed sale of the Barker Street Car Park.

Money from licences is also up in the borough due to a change in legislation for taxi licensing, meaning more drivers and vehicles previously exempt now need to be licensed.

Campbell Thomson, head of finance for the council, said: “The figures are highly encouraging and show we have met our income targets.

“The use of our facilities continues to grow which is also encouraging, especially in the use of the swimming centre, sports village and places like that.

“That’s due to the dedication and hard work of our staff in promoting the centres and attracting customers into using the facilties.

“Overall, we are pleased with the outcome for the last financial year in terms of income generated through the use of our services.

“We will continue to monitor income through the year.”

How the revenue came in:

• SABC received a total of £9,482,487 income from major sources by March 31 this year.
• This is an increase of £771,184 from 2006/2007.
• £269,028 was received from land charges.
• £218, 863 was gained from licences.
• £1,597,870 was gained from interest on investments.
• £657,023 was received from trade refuse.
• Recycling brought in £496,254.
• £952,151 was made from the cemeteries and crematorium.
• Car parking and the bus station made £2,764,613.
• £567,657 was received from town planning fees.
• £502,283 was gained from building control fees.
• The swimming centre brought in £727,162.
• £148,895 came in from the golf course.
• The sports village made £250,471.

By Rhea Parsons