Cabinet members have recommended that prices in Warwick district car parks are increased again, as the council aims to boost its income.

Councillors unanimously backed a range of prices hikes across council services last night (November 2), with parking fees one of the most discussed issues.

The full Warwick District Council will now vote on the plans, but motorists look set to soon have to pay up to £7.30 per day to park in Abbey End - a £1 increase.

The two-hours free parking in Abbey Fields is still expected to remain, but all charges above this are set to go up.

A council report discussed by cabinet yesterday did show a shortfall in parking revenue last year compared to what was forecast, but still put forward more price hikes.

Cabinet did however decide not to put up the day rate in St Peter's car park, Leamington Spa, following comments from Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Alan Boad.

"We [Lib Dem group] discussed St Peter's car park where the daytime parking charge has [proposed] gone up from £8 to £9," he said.

"Bearing in mind this is the only long-stay car park north of the river.

"Shop workers have little other place to park.

"And in winter finishing around 6pm, getting to the car parks south of the river will mean walking through areas which are darker, more difficult, less safe.

"The feeling was the £8 was about right but the £9 is nearly an hour's wage. I know we need to get people onto buses, but we need a reliable bus service first."

Cabinet members agreed to keep St Peter's at £8 for the day charge, keeping it in line with other car parks.

The overview & scrutiny committee (O&S) also recommended a full survey be conducted on how much parking price hikes impact the number of motorists using car parks.

"There is always a feeling that putting car parking charges up deters people from coming into town," said O&S chair Cllr Andrew Milton.

"And what we actually want to do is encourage officers to find out if that is the case.

"And are there some different things we can try to get people into town?"

The council predicts it will fall short of its target from parking charges this year (£3,985,000) and bring in £3,825,000 from its car parks.

The aim for next year is to hit just over £4 million.

See the full report here.