Southampton reviews car costs to lift 'precarious' finances

Councillor Simon Letts said Southampton would struggle to protect vital services

A council is planning higher parking charges, more traffic wardens and fewer pothole repairs to boost its "precarious" finances.

Southampton City Council previously warned the government it may run out of money this year.

The risk of effective bankruptcy remains "severe", according to a new council report.

Councillor Simon Letts, in charge of finance, said motorists were not being targeted unfairly.

Southampton motorists are set to pay higher parking charges

He said: "This is the most challenging year for local councils l have ever known.

"This city has lost over £500 million of government support this decade and now over 80% of our resources are spent on social care.

"Effective enforcement helps motorists who follow the regulations.

"In terms of parking charges these have not been increased for a decade... It is with great reluctance that we are even considering this now."

A pay barrier is to be installed to reinforce parking fees at the city's waterfront Mayflower Park

In June the council was forecasting a £30m budget deficit for this year, which has been reduced to £14m after cost and income measures.

Savings, to be reported to the council's cabinet on Tuesday, include an unspecified number of job cuts.

The authority's roaming pothole repair team will be scrapped, parking charges will be increased and a new pay barrier is to be installed at Mayflower Park.

The authority is also aiming for increased income from four new traffic wardens and "mobile traffic enforcement".

The QE2 Mile to Bargate pedestrianisation scheme has been delayed

Major projects including the QE2 Mile to Bargate pedestrianisation scheme and Southampton's Green City Fund are to be suspended.

The authority is also removing contributions to its self-insurance fund this year.

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, which was commissioned to examine the finances, said the position remained "precarious".

It said the main pressures were in adult social care, looked-after children and the home-to-school travel budget.

In February, the council's chief financial officer told councillors that a so-called Section 114 notice, effectively declaring bankruptcy, was "foreseeable and a major risk" during 2023-24.

If the notice is issued, the council would not be able to make any new spending commitments.

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