A council is proposing to increase most of its fees and charges to help fill a £7m hole in its budget for the next year.

Stockton Council plans to up most of its fees and charges by 7.5 per cent, according to a financial plans to be discussed by leaders next week. This will not apply to care fees or car parking – but parking charges are proposed for Preston Park.

It has been working to make immediate savings. “This work has identified a number of areas where savings could be incorporated into the plan without a significant impact on front-line services,” says a finance report.

“An increase of 7.5 per cent is proposed for the majority of our fees and charges. This does not apply to care fees or car parking, although it is proposed that car parking charges are introduced at Preston Park.”

The council may also withdraw funding for Care For Your Area, described as a temporary resource to support cleaning across the borough, saving £250,000. “Given the financial position it is proposed that the funding for the second year is withdrawn,” the report adds.

Councillors’ environmental improvement budgets will be halved from £400,000 per year to £200,000 under the proposals. This will be reconsidered in about a year’s time.

The report speaks of higher income from planning fees, service reviews and expected cost savings: “There are a number of areas where reviews are planned where savings are expected such as cashiering function and governance.”

A community magazine will also be affected by the cuts: “It is proposed to reduce the number of publications of Stockton News as well as explore enhanced digital publications.”

The council expects to pay less to bus operators for concessionary fares because of reducing demand, saving £200,000. A three-year housing grant will also release funds for the plan.

The council was to put £1.3m into supporting the 2025 anniversary celebrations of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, but this will be put off for a year. “It is unlikely that this money will be required in 2023-24 and this could therefore be deferred and funded in 2024-5,” says the report.

The authority also expects to save £2.5m from staff turnover. In total, the immediate measures are expected to save £5.1m, with the remaining £2m to be generated from a proposed 4.9 per cent council tax increase.

In the longer term, the council plans a transformation programme. Its report says: “As well as the future anticipated budget gap… there are a number of future risks around income, pay awards, inflation including construction cost. In order to address financial pressures and financial sustainability in the future, a programme of transformation is required.”

This will aim to prepare for the future, make savings, improve efficiency and improve performance, says the report.