Car parking and garden waste charges to be frozen in Stafford Borough for 2026 to 2027

Charges for car parking and having garden waste collected across Stafford Borough Council are set to be frozen for the 2026 to 2027 financial year.

The council’s Cabinet is recommending that there should be no rise in parking charges, a move intended to encourage more shoppers and visitors into town centres and help boost local businesses and cultural activity in Stafford and Stone. Thousands of households across the borough who subscribe to the garden waste collection service will also see the cost stay the same when their service comes up for renewal later in the year.

Supporting Town Centres and Residents

The decision comes as part of a wider effort to support the local economy during the "cost-of-living crisis." Leader of the Council, Councillor Aidan Godfrey, credited careful financial planning for making the freeze possible.

Councillor Ian Fordham, Cabinet Member for Environment, emphasized the importance of supporting established businesses:

“Our transformation of Stafford town centre will provide new houses, retail outlets and places for people to meet - but in the meantime we want to support our established shops, restaurants and theatres in Stafford and Stone by encouraging people to come into town to shop, or have a night out, by freezing the cost of parking.”

Councillor Ralph Cooke, Cabinet Member for Resources, added that while all local authorities face significant financial pressures, the council has managed to avoid cutting services despite the freeze.

Current Rates and Subscription Data

Stafford Borough Council operates 17 car parks. Under the frozen rates, the costs remain:

• Stafford Parking: Two-hour stay ranges between £1.90 and £2.30.
• Stone Parking: Two-hour stay costs £1.40.
• Garden Waste: Approximately 37,000 homes currently subscribe to the brown bin collection service.

While parking and garden waste fees are held, most other fees for 2026 to 2027 have increased by 4 percent in line with inflation.

Council Tax and Future Uncertainty

The budget is being delivered during a period described as “profoundly uncertain” due to central government proposals that could potentially see the borough council abolished in 2028.

Residents will see a slight increase in borough council tax, averaging ten pence a week more. This funding supports essential services including:

• Household recycling and waste collections.
• Maintenance of Victoria Park, Stonefield Park, and Wildwood Park.
• Street cleansing and homelessness prevention.
• Leisure centres, the Gatehouse Theatre, and local museums (The Castle, Ancient High House, and Izaak Walton Cottage).

The average household will pay approximately £3.54p a week for the full range of council-delivered services. The Cabinet report will be discussed on Thursday 22nd January and is available to view on the council website.