Edinburgh residents will face rising costs for almost all council services, including burials and parking.
Many changes won’t affect every resident directly. However, some adjustments will impact city life for many.
Parking charges and permit costs may rise again. The Labour party suggests an 8% rise in council tax, while other parties want a 10% increase for taxes. City parking permits are getting more expensive. Resident permits could rise 3% to 6%, and visitor permits could jump as high as 17%. On-street parking could increase dramatically too, with some spots potentially reaching £9 per hour. This could increase the cost by 15%, and housing costs and temporary housing may rise 7%.
Day care costs will mostly go up. Jewel House costs might fall 0.43% to £1639 weekly. Ferrylee could have a 1.65% drop to £1785 per week. But Marionville, and other centers, may increase. These centers might rise between 3% and 5.86%.
Community alarm fees will likely rise by 5%. Washing machine and dryer charges will also increase within sheltered housing areas. Additionally, stays at Benmore and Lagganlia might see 5% rises.
Library photo copies cost more. Color copies increase 18% to 65p a page; black and white copies rise 20% to 30p each. Renting council venues could also cost more. Saughton Park conservatory may rise 20% to £30 an hour. City Chamber room hires may also climb. Large rooms cost £95 an hour on weekdays, totaling £600 a day, around an 11.76% hike. The Council Chamber will be £1300 daily which is a 4% rise.
Wedding costs will also increase soon. Civil ceremonies outside the registry will cost £495; this price applies Monday to Friday, a 4.21% rise. Saturdays could cost £650, a 4.84% rise. Sundays, the costs may reach £675; a 5.47% jump. Cremation costs might sadly also increase soon. A weekday adult cremation with service may reach £947. Without a service a 5.08% jump could reach £586.
Saturday cremations could rise 4.96% to £1,121. Sunday services may reach £1,237; a 5.01% rise. Cremations for children will remain free.
Burial costs face even larger increases. Sunday burials could cost £2,042; a 5.01% increase. Saturday services could be £1,838 a 5.03% jump. Weekday burials will be less, around £1,457. This would be a smaller 4.97% increase. The most costly double burial on Sundays is £2,816.
Venue hire charges will rise, around 5% at main spots. These places include the Usher Hall, and Assembly Rooms. Renting the Ross Bandstand will be £5135 per day. Hiring Princes Street Gardens will be £3,630 each day. A similar 5% increase will occur. Museum of Edinburgh venue rentals will rise, and other museums and the Arts Centre also face rises. Private museum group charges increase too.
Calton Hill and the Scott Monument admissions rise, increasing up to 9%. Nelson Monument adult tickets may be £7. Concession and child tickets could be £6. A family ticket may be £22. Scott Monument adult tickets might be £9, while concession and child tickets may cost £7. A family ticket might rise to £26.
Event costs are rising at parks too soon. Small events at the Meadows cost £550 daily. Large events there will be £885 each day. Sighthill Park might charge £330 for small events, while large events could total about £550.
Garden waste bin permits rise by 12.5% to £45. Allotment rentals also cost more each year. Half-plots cost £85 now, a 4.94% jump. Reduced costs may be £42 which is a 5% rise. This rate is for elderly, students or unemployed. Assisted grass cutting costs could reach £189 per year; larger gardens exceeding 1000 sq meters costing almost £449 now. Hedge trimming could cost £295 per year.
Primary school meals may be £2.65 (6% increase). Nursery meals would be £3.65 (5.80%). Other school meals may cost £3.65. This one-course meal price is a 7.35% rise. School milk could be 24p; up 4%.
City Chambers’ corkage fees will rise a bit. Wine, champagne, and more will be £8.50. Beer corkage will increase to £1.50 per can. Coffee costs £3.10 (up 5.08%), or £4.30 with a cookie. Tunnock’s Tea Cakes may be £1.20 now. Bar prices also rise. Irn Bru may cost £3.10. A glass of wine could be £6. French wine may reach £36. ५0.
These price increases come as the council plans its budget. Income from taxes and grants might not cover expenses. Most price increases would start April 1. Parking permit hikes start when permits renew. Councillors vote on the next year’s budget next Thursday.