Kingston Council has announced a series of updates to parking and enforcement services which could include a 15% increase to on and off-street parking charges.

The plans, revealed in the council's Place Committee on 9 February, included an enhancement of school monitoring, the rollout of a fully mobile parking system across the borough and approaches to reduce significant obstructing to road users including those from parking on red lines and in cycle lanes.

February's Place Committee also presented plans for a 15% increase to on and off street parking . Charges assist the borough in funding highway improvements and the cost of delivering parking services, and the authority has stated the 15% increase will allow for inflation.

The hike to parking charges is included in the council's draft budget for 2023/24, which will be presented at the Budget Council on 2 March.

Councillor Ian Manders, Portfolio Holder for Climate Action and Sustainable Transport at Kingston Council, said: "Whether you drive, cycle or walk around our borough, the council's parking and enforcement services reach everyone: our plans aim to keep streets clear of obstructions, encourage sustainable journeys, especially to and from schools, as well as help fund investment in highways schemes that improve neighbourhoods.

"The council is making progress in securing the powers to remove cars which are parked dangerously. Our absolute priority is safer travel around our borough."

The move to mobile payments will see the borough's ageing parking ticket machines removed rather than replaced, which is expected to represent £1.8million in savings as well as £150,000 a year in maintenance.

Kingston council has said it is facing rising demands on services, increasingly complex needs and pressures from the cost of living crisis – adding to ongoing challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit. A fresh report says the budget proposals aim to help the authority meet "significant challenges" while ensuring services for residents and supporting those most in need.

The authority's reserves stand at £19.6m, with no increase proposed, but an overspend in 2022/23 is forecast. The report says an overspend and shortfall of funding for activities covered by the dedicated schools grant, for children with special educational needs (SEND), will lead to a cumulative deficit of £8m by March 31.

The proposed plans for an increase in parking charges, as well as moves to increase the borough's council tax by £85.30 at the benchmark Band D level, will be presented at the Budget Council on 2 March.

The Kingston Council's budget pack can be viewed here, for information on committee dates and to watch live, visit the link here.