Two Stamford locations are on the list of top locations across the county bringing nearly £1.5m to Lincolnshire County Council.

Parking fines brought in nearly £1.5 million for Lincolnshire County Council last year, creating a £16,000 profit for the authority – but officers are warning leaders of rising costs.

The latest figures, presented in a report before the Lincolnshire County Council Highways Committee on Monday, mark the first time in three years the authority has seen a surplus from parking fines.

The report notes that while Lincolnshire County Council's parking enforcement strategy has proven financially viable, the rising costs pose a challenge.

2022/23 was the highest year on record for fines being issued according to officers, with 37,445 tickets given out, up on last year's 35,292 and the COVID pandemic year's 24,225.

The total income including penalty charges for the 2022/23 financial year reached £1,499,317, against enforcement costs of £1,483,122.

The top locations for parking fines have been identified, with Silver Street in Lincoln leading at 1,390 yellow stickers.

Other high fine areas for 2022/23 included:

• Market Place, Boston: 993
• Broad Street, Stamford: 686
• West Street, Boston: 579
• Eastgate, Louth: 562
• Lumley Road, Skegness: 535
• St Peters Hill, Grantham: 484
• Wide Bargate, Boston: 473
• Bath Row, Stamford: 471
• Sea Road, Anderby Creek: 441

Of the fines issued, 4,891 were appealed, with 1,641 (34%) subsequently allowed.

A further 40 were taken to Traffic Penalty Tribunal appeal with 11 allowed, 14 not contested and 15 rejected.

The income generated from these fines is earmarked for enforcement services, parking facilities, and various transport and environmental projects.

This financial turnaround is a significant shift from the previous two years, where the council faced deficits – £100,511 in 2020/21 and £48,668 in 2021/22.

A parking fine is £70 or £50, reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days.

However, the council faces a growing challenge.

"The level of penalty charge has remained static for many years whilst costs, especially for staff and travel, continue to climb," the report warned, highlighting concerns over rising operational costs.

"This leads to an inevitable crossover where cost can exceed income. How to minimise or eliminate this financial burden whilst continuing to deliver the service in line with council policy will continue to be the main priority going forward."

In recent years, the council has faced annual deficits, primarily due to increases in the National Living Wage, which significantly impacted the monthly costs of enforcement contracts.

These costs are projected to rise further from April 2024. Despite these rising expenses, the charge for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) has not changed for many years, a situation that predates the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement in Lincolnshire in 2012.

The British Parking Association is advocating for a government review to potentially increase the monetary levels of PCNs, a move that is closely monitored by local authorities for future implications.

In addition to urban areas, the council has taken action at Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park, including car parks at Anderby Creek, Chapel Six Marshes, Huttoft Car Terrace, Marsh Yard, and Wolla Bank.

In 2022/23, there were 37,765 transactions made for the car parks in the coastal country park, with an income from car park charges of £98,711.

The busiest was Anderby Creek car park, with 14,113 tickets sold for an income of £37,652.

During the meeting, councillors discussed parking management with Matt Jones, Parking Services Manager.

They addressed the quieter period in Lincoln due to the absence of the Christmas market and the cost-neutrality of parking permit schemes.

Concerns were raised about officer allocation between school patrols and resident parking, with Jones assuring efficient deployment.

Discussions also touched on staff turnover challenges and the parking service's reserve fund, which currently stands at around £800,000.