Environment

Planned parking fees at Gedling Country Park slashed by council

By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter

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A council has slashed the fees it had been planning to charge to visitors of a country park following criticism.

Gedling Borough Council approved its budget for the year beginning April 2025 at a Full Council meeting on Wednesday (March 5).

Council leader Cllr John Clarke (Lab) announced during the meeting the price for an annual parking permit for Gedling Country Park would be reduced from £200 to £85.

He said the council had introduced fees, including a daily £2 parking charge, to help the council maintain the park due to continued budget pressures.

“As regards to our award-winning Gedling Country Park I have listened to resident feedback, and I am pleased to announce a price reduction from the £200 – that was put up first – to £85 for regular visitors to purchase an annual permit,” he said.

“This is a genuine effort to come to some agreement. You go up there – and there are some things we need to do – and clearly in the budget we cannot afford to do that unless we get some income coming in.

“That will be reinvested into the park and hopefully improved for the many thousands that go there.”

The Gedling Conservative Group proposed an amendment to the budget, which included the deletion of four portfolio holder roles to save £34,000, and the removal of some members’ special allowances.

Cllr Mike Adam (Con), leader of the group, said this would enable the council to buy small street sweepers to use in areas struggling with surface water flooding due to blocked drains.

He also said the amendment would allow for one hour free parking at Gedling Country Park.

Cllr Sam Smith (Con), who represents the Trent Valley ward alongside Cllr Adams, added: “The Conservative amendment provides the finances to provide one hour free parking at Gedling Country Park, which is still wanted by residents despite the price drop.

“It is used to provide a free day out for families right across the borough. Families who may not be able to afford trips away.

“It was free until Labour introduced car parking charges that cost 3.5-times more than Rushcliffe Country Park.”

The amendment did not receive enough votes to pass.

The Labour-led authority said it had been facing pressures due to reduced Government funding, as well as changes made by the Labour Government’s chancellor, Rachel Reeves, in her budget last year.

Budget documents show the council’s overall settlement from the Government had been reduced by £183,505.

The increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions, announced by the chancellor, added costs of almost £400,000 to the council’s budget.

The Government only provided £114,000 in funding to offset these costs, documents show.

As a result, Cllr Clarke said council tax would be increasing by 2.99 per cent – the maximum allowed amount.

“Previously Government cuts have impacted our ability to maintain crucial services for residents and businesses, therefore regrettably we are left with no choice but to raise council tax by 2.99 per cent in 2025/26, which equates to 11p per week for a Band D property, or 7p for a Band A,” he said.

Residents in Band A will see a rise in council tax – for Gedling Borough Council’s portion – rise by £3.76 per year from April.

Band B properties will rise by £4.39, Band C by £5.01, Band D by £5.64, Band E by £6.89, Band F by £8.14, Band G by £9.40 and Band H by £11.28.