The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
PArking brings in £2m profit
Parking profits of more than £2 million were generated by Peterborough City Council in 2015/16. The council made £2.2 million during the financial year, up from £ 2.045 million in 2014/15.
The figures have been revealed bytheRACFoundation which discovered that the 353 local authorities in England generated a combined profit of £756 million from their on and off-street parking activities over a 12 month period.
The city council was 86th on the list for profit made, while £6 million was made from parking in Cambridge.
However, Fenland District Council lost £311,000.
The figures are calculated by taking income from parking charges and penalty notices and then deducting running costs.
A city council spokesman said: “Any surplus from car parking in the city has to be reinvested into traffic related projects. This has helped to maintain the standard of our carparks, includingtherecent resurfacing work at the Car Haven and the works to the market multi-storey car park.
“The money also contributes to the maintenance of safety standards in our car parks which is demonstrated by our continued retention of the nationally recognised Safe ParkMark. Themajorityofour car parks have also received accreditation from Disabled Motoring UK.
“We believe we offer good value withall daychargesof£3 or less at three city centre car parks. Evening parking in our carparksremainsaflatcharge of £1.50 andon-street parking is freefrom6.30pm. Alongside this wehavenotincreasedthe cost of resident or visitor permits since 2009.”
Thelargest surpluses were seen in London with the 33 boroughsmaking£332million betweenthem– 44percent of the English total.
Westminster had the largest surplus in England (£55.9 million) followed by Kensington & Chelsea (£34.2 million) and Camden (£25.2 million).
The biggest profit outside of London was in Brighton & Hove (£20.1 million), with a £10.8 million profit in Milton Keynes. As part of the national ‘16 Days of Action Against Domestic Abuse’ campaign, Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jason Ablewhite is asking members of the public to be aware of the signs of domestic abuse and talk about any suspicions with their loved ones.
He said: “If you suspect someone you know is being abused by a partner or family member, the best thing to do is to give them time to open up to you – you may have to try several times but start by saying you’re worriedaboutthem or you’re concerned for their safety.
“Reassure them that the abuse is not their fault and that you are there for them – too often people do not believe a victim when they first disclose abuse, so it is important youshow you believe them.”
Common signs could include yourfriend changingtheirbehaviourinfront of their partner, seeming less confident or frightened, or their partner constantly texting or calling them when they are with you.
To report abuse anonymouslycontactCrimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk. org.
More information can be found at https://www. cambs-police.co.uk/GetCloser/domesticabuse/.