Council fees and charges frozen for residents to help with Cost of Living Crisis

Mayor Dave Hodgson has announced that most fees and charges for Council services for residents will be frozen this year to help people with the Cost of Living Crisis. This includes freezing marriage and registration costs, cremation or burial service costs and freezing car park charges for the sixth year in a row.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said "It is vital that we help our residents in any way we can which is why we have taken the decision to freeze fees and charges for residents. When the cost of everything is going up, it is important that residents know that council services will remain the same price."

Many other councils have decided not to support residents with a fees and charges freeze. For example, residents in Central Bedfordshire will pay 6.5% more for a wide range of council services next year. This will be another blow to residents who are struggling to cope with cost of living pressure as UK inflation hits 10% and energy prices soar.

Bedford Borough Council-owned car park charges will also be frozen for the sixth year in a row. This decision also includes the two hours free parking deal, which was introduced by Mayor Dave in 2013. As well as two hours free on Saturdays in council town centre car parks, Queen Street car park is free for the first two hours every weekday as well.