Price hikes confirmed for school meals, garden waste collections, cremations and burials in South Tyneside.

South Tyneside Council has approved a string of price increases, including on school meals and milk, parking and more after annual review of fees and charges.

The council has blamed rising costs and says it is aware of the financial pressure currently facing households. The changes were approved by cabinet on November 4.

Paid-for school meals rise from £3 to £3.50 per day from April 2027, with the council continuing to subsidise each paid-for meal by 80p.

This is the third year running the cost of paid-for school meals has increased in South Tyneside. Until April 2025, paid-for school meals cost £2.20 per day.

More than 46% of pupils currently receive free school meals, so will not be affected.

School milk increases from £14 to £16 per term from April 2027, but remains below the £20 currently charged by national provider, CoolMilk.

The council says school meals and milk costs around £400,000 a year more to operate than the income it generates.

From April 2027 the first hour of parking will remain free in South Shields town centre, while Jarrow and Hebburn town centres will have two free hours before a charges applies. There are also changes to resident and visitor parking permits.

Leisure membership prices remain unchanged, but most individual and sessional leisure charges increase.

The annual garden waste charge rises from £45 to £47 for 15 collections in 2027. Bulky waste collections increase from £30 to £33 for up to 10 items.

Following a review of bereavement charges, cremation and burial prices increase. An early morning cremation will reduce funeral costs.

Charges for all the above contribute around £34million towards the cost of council services each year.

Around 80% of South Tyneside Council’s budget is spent on services it must legally provide. It wants to keep paid-for services affordable while recovering as much of the cost as possible.

Councillor Susan Sybenga, lead member for Finance and Resources, said in October: “We know household budgets remain under pressure, so this review isn't simply about applying the same increase to every charge.

“We've looked at what individual services cost to provide, what other providers charge and the impact on residents.

"We want to strike a fair balance between keeping services affordable and accessible and making sure the Council can continue to provide them on a sustainable footing.”

Some changes take effect from December 1.