Parking fines in East Ayrshire will increase from later this year.

East Ayrshire Council’s cabinet agreed to the increase following national guidance issued by Scottish Ministers.

From August 1, 2023, the charge will rise from £60 to £100.

Motorists receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) when they fail to comply with parking regulations.

Motorists in Cumnock have long been unhappy about parking issues on Townhead Street, with council bosses saying that they planned to step up patrols to halt the problems.

READ MORE: More patrols set to tackle nuisance parking in Cumnock street

The Scottish Government undertook a public consultation which considered the levels of fines associated with PCNs and published the analysis of the responses in September 2022.

East Ayrshire Council, along with all of the Scottish local authorities which responded to the consultation agreed that PCN levels should be increased.

The current £60 PCN value has not been increased since decriminalised parking enforcement (DPE) was introduced nationally in April 2001.

East Ayrshire Council introduced DPE in 2012.

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In announcing its decision on the increase, EAC said that if the PCN value had been reviewed in line with inflation over the intervening years, the current value would be approximately £105.

The new guidance allows a local authority to set a new PCN value at a lower rate of £80, discounted by 50 per cent if paid with 14 days or a higher rate of £100, discounted by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days. These rates are increased by 50 per cent if the PCN remains unpaid.

However, an £80 PCN value is lower than the adjusted 2001 value when inflation in the intervening period is accounted for.

The council believes that an increase in the cost of a PCN will support positive behaviour change and an improvement in parking compliance.

Any PCN income is reinvested in parking services, public transport, and road or environmental improvements, particularly in relation to road safety and accessibility issues.

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Councillor Neal Ingram, East Ayrshire Council spokesperson for community safety, roads and transportation, said: “This is the first opportunity local authorities have had since the introduction of DPE powers 22 years ago to adjust PCN values and bring them more in line with inflationary adjustments.

"We hope that the higher charge will encourage positive behaviour change in support of parking regulations and also help with the Council’s carbon reduction aspirations as drivers adopt other modes of transport.”