Ipswich council set to increase prices and cut services

A raft of cost-cutting and revenue-raising measures are to be discussed by councillors this month after its budget gap rose from £17.5million to £23m over the last six months.

Among the proposals to be discussed by the borough's executive next week is charging households £49.50 a year for brown bin collections.

An exhibition featuring this painting of Salisbury Cathedral by John Constable attracted thousands of visitors to the Wolsey Gallery. (Image: Ipswich Borough Council)

Swimming pool opening hours could be cut by one day a week, while charges could be introduced at exhibitions at the Wolsey Gallery at Christchurch Mansion - which could itself have its opening hours reduced.

Council tenants living in communal blocks could have a service charge introduced which would be set at a level to ensure it was covered by housing benefit for those who get it.

And major changes are proposed for the council's car parks.

Football fans could have to pay more to park near the football ground on match days. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

One of the most controversial is likely to be the introduction of premium pricing at long-stay council car parks near Portman Road on match days.

This would apply to the Portman Road, Princes Street and West End Road car parks - and could be introduced as early as January next year. Most of the proposals are expected to come in at the start of the new financial year next April.

Ticket machines could be removed from long-stay car parks. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Another change affecting long-term car parks is that the pay and display ticket machines will be removed and users will have to use the MiPermit parking app.

Council leader Neil MacDonald said most people use the app already and the number carrying the right amount of cash for an all-day ticket was very low.

The subsidy for the summer holiday iCard for children will be reduced - although it will remain free for youngsters who get free school meals.

Fees for sessions at sports and leisure centres are likely to rise significantly and there are likely to be cuts to contributions to non-profit-making organisations.

The number of council-run entertainments in the town over the year is likely to be reduced, although flagship events like Ipswich Music Day will be protected.

Neil MacDonald warned that local government was not a priority for national politicians. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr MacDonald said the outlook was grim for local government - the council had lobbied new MP Jack Abbott to take up the case and was working with the Local Government Association and District Councils Network to try to get more support.

He said: "The fact is we've just had a general election and how often did you hear local government mentioned in the campaign by any of the parties?

"We do not want to do this but I believe people will understand that we have to make savings."

The proposals will be discussed by the council's executive next Tuesday, September 10, and then be formally adopted by the full council on Wednesday, September 18.

One issue that isn't included is a plan first discussed earlier this year to sell off the council's Grafton House headquarters in Russell Road and look for new offices in the town centre.

Mr MacDonald said this was still a long-term aspiration but councillors and officials had been concentrating on making the budget add up rather than pressing ahead with this plan.

Officers and councillors were being briefed on the proposals on Monday.