Parking fees in Stafford will not increase under new council proposals

Parking fees in Stafford and Stone will not increase in the next financial year, following a recommendation from Stafford Borough Council to freeze charges as part of its 2026–27 budget proposals.

The council has also confirmed that garden waste collection fees will be frozen, meaning households that subscribe to the brown bin service will see no increase when their renewal is due later this year.

Both measures will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday 22 January 2026.

Why parking fees are being frozen

The council says freezing parking charges is intended to encourage more people to visit town centres, supporting local shops, restaurants, theatres and cultural venues during a challenging period for businesses.

Council Leader Aidan Godfrey said careful financial management had made it possible to hold charges at current levels for the 2026–27 year.

Councillor Ian Fordham, Cabinet Member for Environment, said the council wants to support established businesses in Stafford and Stone while longer-term regeneration plans continue.

How much parking currently costs

Stafford Borough Council operates 17 car parks across the borough.

Current charges include:

• £1.90 to £2.30 for a two-hour stay in Stafford

• £1.40 for a two-hour stay in Stone

Under the proposals, these prices would remain unchanged for the next financial year.

Garden waste fees also staying the same

Around 37,000 households across the borough currently subscribe to the council’s garden waste collection service. The council has confirmed that the fee for this service will also be frozen at 2025–26 prices.

The Cabinet report states that while most fees and charges are proposed to rise in line with inflation at 4%, car parking and chargeable garden waste collection are the two key exceptions.

Wider financial context

The council says it is setting its budget during what it describes as a “profoundly uncertain time for local government”, including proposed national changes that could see district councils abolished by 2028.

Despite this, the authority says it has been able to protect frontline services while limiting council tax increases. Under the proposals, residents would pay around 10p more per week in borough council tax.

The council says this contributes towards services including:

• Recycling and waste collections

• Parks and open spaces such as Victoria Park, Stonefield Park and Wildwood Park

• Street cleaning and homelessness prevention

• Support for leisure centres, museums and theatres

• Cemeteries and crematoria in Stafford and Stone

Councillor Ralph Cooke, Cabinet Member for Resources, said the council was determined to keep fees low where possible during the cost-of-living crisis.

What happens next

The proposals will be discussed by Cabinet on Thursday 22 January 2026. If agreed, parking fees and garden waste charges would remain frozen for the 2026–27 financial year.