Croydon council will increase the cost of burials, bowls, and parking permits as part of its annual fees and charges review.
Theses increases stood out among the other annual fees and charges increases as being ‘particularly high’ according to councillors.
Next year, Croydon residents will experience a 10 percent rise in the cost of parking permits and an 11.3 per cent hike in the cost of certain burials at one largest cemeteries.
Croydon Mayor Jason Perry has defended what he sees as ‘fair’ increases, but local opposition called them ‘just another tax grab’.
The increases were revealed last Wednesday, as the council approved it’s annual review of fees and charges.
The list of council goods and services and their associated costs are long, and include everything from the cost of recycling bins and hourly football pitch hire to the rate it charges for wedding ceremonies and adult social care.
Following a review of the coming 2024/25 fees and charges, Croydon council revealed a number of increases across the board. After questioning from the council’s Labour opposition, it was revealed that these increases would amount to an extra £1m in income for the council.
Councillor Jason Cummings insisted these increases were ‘normal’ and routine for the council. He added: “It is an increase in fees and charges, inflation hits us every year. It is a completely normal level of raise, and there’s nothing exceptional here.”
However, Croydon’s deputy leader of the opposition and shadow cabinet member for finance, Carlton Young, pointed out a few areas which rose far above the standard increase of around 2.3 per cent.
In addition to the 10 per cent increase in the cost of parking permits, Young identified the significant rise in the purchase of reclaimed burial rights at Croydon’s Queens Road and Mitcham Road Cemeteries.
Reclaimed burial rights refers to old graves that have not been used for at least 75 years and in which further burial space exists. In Queens Road the cost increased from £2195 to £2500 for this service, representing an increase of 13.9 per cent.
Elsewhere, Cllr Young noted the cost of a game of bowls by the hour had dramatically increased. Casual play per hour for juniors, over 60s and disabled people in particular rose by £13.6 per cent, meaning they will pay 60p more per hour.
This led Cllr Young to ask the Mayor: “What reaction he expects from motorists, elderly bowlers and residents hoping for a decent burial in this borough.”
In response, Mayor Perry said: “Generally, things have gone up by inflation but then there are other regulatory areas or market conditions. Some items will go up more than others and in some areas it may well be that the cost recovery has not been as full as it should have been.”
Cllr Cummings added: “It’s not profiteering or pushing prices up. It’s the normal rises you would expect on an annual basis.”
Labour’s leader of the opposition Stuart King said: “The Mayor is presiding over an £18m overspend of his own making. His answer is not to get a grip on spending but instead to raise council tax and fees and charges.
“Over 340 charges are being increased by well over inflation. This is another tax grab by Mayor Perry.”
Pictured top: Mitcham Road cemetery (Picture: Peter Trimming)
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