Stratford District Council car park income surplus hailed as indicator of improving economic activity

The district’s draft end-of-year financial report, presented to the cabinet this week, shows a turnaround after two years of lower-than-expected receipts from council-run car parks.

This time last year, portfolio holder for resources Councillor David Curtis (Lib Dem, Stratford Shottery) called for council officers – its paid professionals – to consider whether income projections were being set too high following back-to-back six-figure shortfalls.

By then, the 2025-26 budget had already been set with £50,000 shaved off the anticipated yield despite an increase in hourly rates.

Early monitoring reports published in July 2025 showed that car parking income was more than £24,000 behind with costs more than £21,000 over budget. At that point the council anticipated limited the combined total to a £20,000 shortfall but much improved income from there resulted in a near £90,000 surplus.

Income was actually more than £132,000 above the £3.465 million that the council expected to bring in across 2025-26 but that was cut into by expenditure being £42,000 over the £1.524 million budget set aside to cover operational costs.

“It is not a huge amount but it does represent positive growth in visitor numbers to Stratford,” said Cllr Curtis.

“Although they are relatively small sums, the off-street parking can provide a bellwether as to how well the economy of the town is performing more widely.

“It is very welcome.”

The progress had been noted by the council’s overview and scrutiny committee with chief executive David Buckland also happy with the progress.

“I do agree that it is a very positive sign for the local economy,” said Mr Buckland.

“In the previous two years we had deficits, in the order of £240,000 last year and £150,000 the previous year. Hopefully it has turned a corner.”