WINCHESTER civic chiefs are preparing to make cuts in spending as the country teeters on the edge of recession.

Charges are set to rise for city centre parking, including charging on Sundays and bank holidays and for green waste collection.

Projects such as the Goods Shed scheme on Barfield Close and the revamp of city centre buildings could be suspended.

The city council fears that rising inflation and interest rates caused the worldwide impact of Covid and more recently the war in Ukraine means that it will have to make savings.

It could dip into reserves to soften the financial blow.

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A report to Cabinet next Tuesday, November 15, states: "All councils are facing serious and immediate pressures as a result of global and national issues that have resulted in increased energy costs, inflation running at over 10 per cent, increased interest rates and general economic volatility.

"No immediate Government support is anticipated, and councils will have to make difficult decisions and to use reserves to achieve a balanced budget for 2023/24 and beyond."

The council says that savings made during the worst of the pandemic and in 2021-22 means options for savings have been reduced.

The report adds: "It is possible to set a balanced budget although some call on the Exceptional Inflation Reserve approved in July 2022 is required to achieve this. The report also includes the Medium-Term Financial Strategy which sets out the Council’s strategic approach to the use and management of its financial resources."

Among the many options being looked out before the budget is set early in the New Year are:

  •  an increase to garden waste collection charges from £43 for small bins and £65 for large bins;
  •  increase charges in city centre car parks in line with inflation, currently running at ten per cent and start to charge on Sundays and bank holidays;
  •  On-street parking restrictions be extended to Sundays, with the exact zones to be subject to consultation;
  •  Parking charges in “market town” car parks, such as Wickham and Bishop's Waltham, be increased by a 20p flat amount on each chargeable rate; to £2 for the daily rate. The increase will not apply to the Alresford Station Car Park, where charges were amended recently;
  •  Other fees be increased in line with inflation;
  •  Council Tax will increase in line with the Government limits (currently a maximum of £5 for a Band D property).

The council is affected too by the Covid impact on travel. City centre parking remains at capacity, but Park and Ride and Commuter parking have not returned, the reports says.

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Capital projects are now in question.

The £5m Goods Shed scheme is likely to be paused and other 'meanwhile' uses considered.

Other schemes are now in question - the refurbishment of 158-159 High Street has soared from £500,000 to £800,000; the revamp of 59 Colebrook Street has risen from £550,000 and that of the Casson Block on St George's Street from £800,000. An increase of costs of 20 per cent would make Colebrook Street unviable.

Costs of the replacement community/sports pavilion at North Walls have climbed from £800,000 to more than £1m. Some £200,000 has come from the local community.

Longer-term projects such as the North Walls Park plan and a possible solar farm are also under review. The report says the park plan "may need to be scaled back in the near term".