PARKING charges could be going up across the city.
Devon County Council is considering putting up the cost of residents-only parking permits and its on-street parking tariffs are also under review.
At the moment the cost of a residents-only permit is £20 but it is believed that the county council is thinking of raising this to £30 and £50 for a permit for a second car.
A Devon County Council spokesman said: "Devon County Council is currently reviewing residents' permit charges. Pay and display charges, for longer stay tariffs are also being reviewed. No proposals have yet been formalised for consideration by members."
Although proposals have yet to be formalised some city councillors are not in favour of any increases.
Richard Westlake, county councillor for Newtown and Polsloe, said: "I think it is very disappointing that they are thinking of using residents' parking as a way of raising money.
"The county council says that it is not getting enough money to pay for enforcement.
"However it is unfortunate, when we are trying to bring in more residents' only parking, because residents have asked for it, that they have not raised it proportionately to reflect how much it costs to enforce. I feel slapping £10 on the cost is over the top. The cost of enforcement could be subsidised from the on-street parking account."
Olwen Foggin, county councillor for Heavitree and Whipton Barton, has fought for years to get residents' only parking in the streets affected by hospital parking.
Cllr Foggin said: "I am very disappointed that the county council is using the parking as a cash cow.
"Under the city council, when the scheme was first introduced, the money was just to cover the costs involved.
"Eric Pickles, secretary of state for communities and local government, has said that local authorities should not be making money out of parking."
However Jill Owen, county councillor for St James' and St David's and chairman of Exeter highways committee, said: "I don't think I would go so far as to criticise this. There is an environmental impact if you have a car and you have got to pay towards that."
With regard to on-street parking, Cllr Westlake said: "The majority of on-street parking revenue comes from Exeter and we don't believe that Exeter gets its fair share back.
"The county council wanted to introduce on street parking in the market towns and there was such an uproar that they changed their minds so if people didn't want it then why should they benefit?
"More of this money should come to Exeter."
Last year county councillors were surprised to learn that there was a £2.5m surplus pot raised from on-street parking charges.
