The Cabinet Member Signing meeting was scheduled to discuss proposed increases to parking fees and charges for the 2026-2027 financial year. This included a review of various permit charges, surcharges for different vehicle types, and tariffs for council car parks.

Review of Parking Fees and Charges 2026-2027

The meeting was scheduled to consider a review and approval of parking fees and charges for the upcoming financial year. The council undertakes an annual review to ensure full cost recovery for parking, aligning charges with those in other London boroughs. This particular report focused on proposed increases that were omitted from a previous Cabinet report.

The report outlined recommendations for agreeing to increases in parking charges, which would be levied from 1 April 2026, subject to statutory notification. Further increases, detailed in Appendix II (c), were proposed to be levied from 1 August 2026, pending the outcome of statutory consultation. Authority was to be delegated to the Head of Highways and Parking to progress these notifications and consultations, and to make necessary traffic management orders, with the option to refer matters back to the Cabinet Member if significant objections arose.

The proposed increases are intended to ensure that parking charges remain in line with those levied by other London Boroughs and to achieve full cost recovery. The report highlighted that parking controls and charging policies contribute to the council's Corporate Delivery Plan, specifically supporting the Responding to the Climate Emergency theme by aiming to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and encourage the use of more sustainable transport modes.

Specific details of the proposed charges were provided in several appendices:

• Appendix II (a) and (b) detailed proposed increases to parking permit charges and surcharges. These included an inflationary increase of 3.8% for residential and business permits, with variations based on vehicle size and CO2 emissions. A diesel surcharge was also proposed to increase from 25% to 30%.
• Appendix II (c) outlined proposed changes to car park tariffs. This review aimed to achieve consistency in service offers across car parks, taking into account unique local characteristics. It specifically addressed event day charges for car parks in the Tottenham area, to manage pressures arising from events at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The proposed charges also considered ongoing operating costs and the cost of sustainable travel alternatives. A diesel surcharge of 30% was proposed for car parks.

The report also noted the council's commitment to supporting vulnerable residents through various concessions, including provisions for Blue Badge holders, discounted visitor permits for the elderly and disabled, and a free 'Care at Home' parking permit. The council's authority to set parking charges is defined by the Road Traffic Regulation Act (RTRA) 1984, which stipulates that charges cannot be levied solely to raise revenue and must be proportionate to the costs of administration and enforcement. Section 122 of the RTRA places a duty on the council to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic (including pedestrians) and the provision of suitable and adequate parking facilities on and off the highway.

The report also included comments from statutory officers, including Finance, Strategic Procurement, and Legal departments, confirming the financial implications and legal basis for the proposed changes. An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) was referenced, which had been attached to the main fees and charges report approved in December 2025, and which did not identify any direct or indirect discrimination for groups with protected characteristics. The report stated that parking controls and associated charging policies are designed to benefit all residents through reduced congestion and improved air quality, with concessions in place to mitigate the impact of increased charges on lower-income groups.