Car parking charges in Powys are set to rocket in a bid to save the county council £100,000.

The authority says frontline services will suffer unless councillors agree to the increases next week. It would mean that car parking charges at long stay car parks would increase by more than 13 per cent and 12-month parking permits by 25 per cent as soon as possible after April 1.

The report goes to the council’s board in Llandrindod Wells on Tuesday for a decision.

Councillor Geraint Hopkins, portfolio holder for local environment and services, said he hoped short stay car parks would not be affected.

He said: “Taking into account the current financial crisis and the need to support town centre businesses throughout Powys, it is suggested that the existing short stay charges, at pay and display car parks be retained at the current level for the forthcoming year.

“It is recognised that these car parks attract short stay visitors and shoppers to the town. However, there is scope to increase tariffs for long stay car parks without impinging on short stay shopping opportunities.

“It is therefore proposed to increase tariffs for motor cars and motorcycles from £1.70 to £2 for up to four hours and from £2.20 to £2.50 for more than four hours.”

He said: “It is also proposed that a cost of a 12-month car parking permit be increased by £30 from £120 to £150. Pro rata increases for six and three month car parking charges, and permits for other classes of vehicles are also proposed.”

Councillor Hopkins said proposals were also in place to introduce charges to a number of free car parks, which have about 350 spaces, equating to about eight per cent of the total pay and display car parking bays in Powys.

Places affected would include Watergate car park in Llanfair Caereinion, the county council-owned section of Llanfyllin car park and Church Place car park in Llanidloes.

Councillor Hopkins said: “If these measures are not introduced over the next financial year there will be a shortfall in the council’s budget of £100,000, resulting in the reduction of other frontline services.”

He said if charges were not introduced at free car parks, short stay fees would have to rise by 10p.

By Anwen Evans