Welsh councils' parking fee profits

Cash-strapped county councils in Wales are continuing to make a profit from motorists, a new report says.

According to a report by the RAC Foundation, the country's 22 local authorities had an £8.7 million surplus in 2012/13 from car parking fees and fixed penalty notices.

The motoring charity's study also showed only five county councils in Wales recorded a deficit on their parking activities and 11 have seen their profits rise on the previous financial year.

RAC Foundation director Stephen Glaister said none of the councils could dispute the calculations because it was data they themselves had submitted to the Welsh Government.

Prof Glaister said: "Most people, including drivers, recognise the need for parking enforcement.

"You only have to look at the chaos caused in Aberystwyth back in 2011 when the restrictions were removed.

"But in many areas of the UK trust between motorists and councils is in short supply. Transparency over parking policy would go a long way to rebuilding the relationship."

The RAC Foundation figures showed across the board parking is worth £30.4 million to Welsh councils - while running costs totalled £21.7 million.

Cardiff Council was at the top of the table after its charges generated £6.2 million in revenue and saw profits rise by 2% to £2.6 million.

It was followed by Swansea, which had revenue and surplus of £4.4 million and £1.3 million respectively.

The local authority with the biggest percentage increase was Merthyr Tydfil (148%).

The figures come against a backdrop of continuing financial pressures on local councils via funding cuts.

Last October, the Welsh Government announced that funding for local government would be cut by 5.81% in the next financial year.

But ministers in Cardiff Bay say they have had to cut their cloth accordingly because the UK Government has drastically reduced its budget.