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Sound financial management means parking fees frozen  

Published 11 February 2026

Vale of White Horse District Council Cabinet met on Friday 30 January and agreed to freeze car parking fees for the 2026/27 year. Good financial management has meant motorists in the Vale will not face a rise in fees this financial year.  

In a further move to keep parking prices low, Cabinet also agreed to move towards ticketless parking this year, with a public consultation on the move launching in the spring. 

Not only would this save paper and be more environmentally friendly, but it would also save thousands of pounds for the council, which can then be used to ensure parking remains affordable. The new machines would also be more reliable, require less maintenance and allow for better enforcement.  

Cllr Robert Clegg, Vale of White Horse District Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Climate Action and Nature Recovery, said: “This is great news for our residents and visitors – across the council we have worked incredibly hard to ensure we manage our finances carefully and this is just one of the many positive outcomes that have come from our sensible budget management.  

“Our potential move to a ticketless system is a welcome one. While it will require a change of habit for some users, it will have some real benefits once introduced and I’m confident will be a simple switch. Look out for our consultation coming soon and have your say on this option.” 

The council also pledged to streamline the process of volunteer organisations and charities requesting free parking permits.   

The council reviews its car park fees annually as part of its budget process. Government legislation requires council car parks to be self-funding. Any surplus from fees is invested back into the car parks for maintenance and improvements. 

Cllr Clegg added: “Along with other local authorities, we continue to work with the British Parking Association in its campaign for the use of ANPR cameras in our car parks in order to issue penalty charges automatically by post.  

“This would further reduce costs for the council and allow them to again use those savings to keep car park fees as low as possible.”  

Notes to Editors: