An increase in parking charges has raised less income for the council than expected.
The city’s finance convener acknowledged that the city had earned less than expected – but said it was “encouraging” that people were choosing to drive less, and use more sustainable means of transport.
She added that the Labour administration would freeze as many fees and charges as possible in the budget-setting process.
But an opposition councillor has criticised the rise in parking charges, saying that making it harder to park in the city would have consequences for local businesses.
He said that lost revenues to the council means less money is available to maintain roads and pavements.
A report before Tuesday’s special finance meeting said a 10% hike in pay-and-display rates had yielded only a 4% revenue increase, rather than the 7% that was expected.
It states a range of measures had been considered to address the shortfall, but it was expected to occur again in future years.
It adds any expected revenue that was not received from pay-and-display use was made up for through money set aside for contingency in the last budget.
The pay-and-display hike was among a range of fee and price hikes put in last year in order to pay for public services.
Council groups are currently planning proposed budgets for the next year, with a special budget full council meeting planned for the end of this month.
Finance convener and Labour councillor, Mandy Watt, said: “Whilst we’ve seen less than expected revenue in parking income this year, it’s encouraging that people across Edinburgh are choosing more sustainable ways of getting around the city than private cars.
“We also recognise that fees and charges are real concerns for our residents in terms of living costs. This is why we’re looking to freeze as many of these as we can over the next financial year.”
Conservative councillor and group leader Iain Whyte said: “[Parking hikes] are bad for business in the city centre as people just shop out of town instead.
“Maybe the various left wing parties on the council need a lesson in basic economics and what the Laffer curve means before they set fees and charges, or things like the tourist tax.”
(The Laffer curve is an economic theory which suggests that there is a sweet spot where maximum revenue is raised from a tax – but that point can only be estimated. Some politicians suggest that lower rates of taxes might increase revenue.)
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
