Drivers pay £2.4 million at Stafford Borough Council car parks

The Labour group had called for a review into the public fees and charges as its emerged they account for a third of the council's income.

A cross-party task and finish group has carried out an investigation and has now published a report set to be discussed next week. It reveals the council is set to receive £2,448,000 from parking during the 2016/17 financial year. There are 3,567 Stafford Borough Council owned parking spaces in total.

Other high earners include Stafford Leisure Centre which brings in £1,695,000 and bereavement services which generate £1,624,000. Stafford Gatehouse Theatre also delivers income of £950,000.

By comparison the council is set to receive £6.6m in council tax this year and a £4.3m in business rates.

While the paper does not outline any concrete proposals to raise the fees it states they will be under 'regular review' in order to combat a £2.1m reduction in Government funding by 2019/20.

The report said: "Core government funding to this council will fall in cash terms by £2.148 million by 2019/20 with the demise of Revenue Support Grant.

"The council will therefore have to find innovative ways of generating income and capitalising on existing opportunities. A key element of this strategy will be to ensure that fees and charges, representing 30 per cent of council income, are subject to regular review to reflect the outcomes, aims and objectives of the council and the changing financial environment." The report will be discussed by the council's Special Resources and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee on Thursday.

Council spokesman Will Conaghan added: "A cross party group was tasked with reviewing the overall level of fees and charges – for example taking into account what it costs the council to run the services ensuring they are not unaffordable for residents.

"Their findings will now be discussed before a special scrutiny committee."