CAR parking charges in West Devon are set to rise from April 2003 if suggested rates are approved by the full West Devon Borough Council meeting in February.

A report from council facilities contracts manager Cathy Aubertin ? which came before the economic, leisure and community development committee on January 21 ? reveals a projected overspend on the car parking services budget for the year 2002/2003 in the region of £11,000.

The report suggests a number of increases in pay and display rates, together with an increase in the cost of season tickets.

Cllr Nick Morgan, chair of the economic, leisure and community development committee said: ?West Devon carried out one of the biggest public consultation exercises that has ever been done as far as parking is concerned. We had two special days last September where the public was able to give its comments on parking in West Devon.?

Cllr Morgan said the consultation had also included other authorities and groups with an interest in parking in the borough. He said generally, West Devon compared well with other authorities, collecting a higher percentage of fine income and issuing considerably cheaper season tickets.

?We are looking at specific changes. We are introducing half hour parking in selected car parks, the charges for up to one hour and one to two hours are going up, but the charges actually go down for two to three hours. We are hoping that the charges will allow and encourage tourists to stay longer in the area rather than for a shorter period,? added Cllr Morgan.

A new half-hourly rate in selected short stay and town car parks of 40p is set to be created, with up to one hour rising from 50p to 60p and one to two hours from £1 to £1.20.

However, in that classification of car park the rate for two to three hours is due to drop from £1.50 to £1.40. The charges for longer stays would remain the same.

In long stay or out-of-town car parks, a stay of up to one hour is due to rise from 50p to 60p, and all day parking from £1 to £1.20.

It is in the season ticket prices that the greatest increases are being requested. For town centre car parks, the three-month ticket is set to rise from £45 to £65, the six-month ticket by 50% from £80 to £120 and the twelve-month ticket from £150 to £195.

In out-of-town car parks, the proposed rises are of a similar percentage, the biggest of 50% being for the six-month ticket, from £50 to £75. The three-month ticket would rise from £30 to £40 and the twelve-month up 30% from £90 to £120.

Work is due to be carried out in the Wharf car park in Tavistock before the end of the financial year to remove the low walls at the entrance to the car park and replace them with bollards.

Ms Aubertin states in the report that ?we have experienced many problems with the walls being damaged by both vehicles and skateboarders and bollards should eliminate these problems?. In addition, the angle of the kerb at the entrance needed to be ?softened?. This work is expected to cost in the region of £3,000.

A review of the frequency of cash collection is being carried out, with a view to reducing collections from smaller car parks in order to reduce collection costs.

The area of largest projected overspend is in equipment, services and renewals fund, the anticipated figure being £9,985 over the budget figure of £12,330. Repairs, maintenance and utilities are expected to be £7,790 under budget, however.

The report states that the projected reduction in council tax per band D property resulting from car park income is £24.58.

The percentage of parking fines paid during the financial year 2002/3 is 93.

l Those who completed a questionnaire at the consultation days last September were entered into a prize draw to win a parking season ticket and the winner was Miss C Vanstone, from Mary Tavy.