PARKING, burials and meals on wheels in Eastleigh are all set for a price increase, it has been revealed.

Councillors have approved a raft of increases to Eastleigh Borough Council’s fees and charges, in an attempt to generate an extra £370,000 over the next two years.

The council has aimed to increase its charges by an average five per cent – one per cent above inflation estimates for the next year.

Parking tickets, which already bring in more than £2.5m for the council, are to increase by as much as 40p at some sites.

From April, the cost to bury cremated remains in a council cemetery will go up from £240 to £252 – a five per cent rise – and it will cost an extra £37 for a single depth plot – a 5.12 per cent increase.

Meals on wheels users will see an increase of 10p per meal – bringing the cost of a hot main course and dessert to £3.10 a day.

Charges for using leisure facilities, such as tennis and swimming, will also go up by about five per cent.

Traders in the town have criticised the parking charge increases – saying it will hit businesses at a difficult economic time.

Dee Buffone, general manager at Eastleigh’s Swan Centre, said it was disappointing that short-stay tickets were being increased more than long-stay charges.

Under the plans, those choosing to park in the Swan Centre for under three hours will see increases of between 10p and 20p per ticket, while chargess for longer periods will remain the same.

Mr Buffone said: “It’s a hard time for the high street to bring in an increase and all indicators tell us that there isn’t going to be an upsurge in the next year.

“Short-term charges are the worst ones to put up for us.”

Age Concern Hampshire welcomed the news from the council that meals on wheels charges would not be increased as much as other services.

Director Chris Perry said: “It seems to be within inflation and within the pension increase.

“We understand that they would have to keep pace with the cost of providing the meal. Where we get very annoyed is when it goes up above the cost of inflation.”

Eastleigh Borough Council said it had been forced to bring in the price increases to plug a funding gap which has been left by Government cuts.

A spokesman said: “In keeping with the council’s medium term budget policy, the council has increased it’s fees and charges by one per cent above inflation.

“This increase will help to cover cuts to our funding. We will continue to produce and provide a quality service.”

The increases have been approved by the cabinet and will go before full council in December.

Price increases – effective from January 31, 2012

Pay and display car parks:
Up to one hour: £1.10 to £1.20
Up to two hours: £2.20 to £2.40
Up to three hours: £3.20 to £3.30
Longer stay: No change

Mitchell Road multi-storey
Up to one hour: £1.00 to £1.20
Up to two hours: £2.00 to £2.40
Up to three hours: £3.00 to £3.30
Up to four hours: £4.00 to £4.20
Up to five hours: £5.00 to £5.20
All day: No change

Swan Centre multi-storey:
Up to one hour: £1.10 to £1.20
Up to two hours: £2.20 £2.40
Up to three hours: £3.20 £3.30
Longer stays: No change

Burial charge increases (from April 2012)
Single Depth: £722 to £759
Double depth: £920 to £966
Cremated remains: £240 to £252
Right to scatter ashes: £62 to £66