The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Heritage and Culture, Councillor Darren Cheshire, met on Tuesday 6 January 2026 to discuss and approve updated fees and charges for the Kingsbury Water Park Fishery for the 2026/27 financial year. The decision was made to approve alternate proposed fees and charges, subject to call-in.

Kingsbury Water Park Fishery Fees and Charges 2026/27

Councillor Darren Cheshire, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Heritage and Culture, approved revised fees and charges for the Kingsbury Water Park Fishery for the 2026/27 financial year. The decision, made on 6 January 2026, saw the approval of alternate proposed fees and charges, differing from the initial recommendations presented in the report.

The original proposals included an increase to coarse and specimen day ticket prices, the removal of seasonal price variations, and the introduction of a standard 20% discount for concession tickets. Prices for most annual permits were to be maintained, with the exception of the concession rate for an annual coarse permit, which was set to increase. These changes were intended to build on the recovery of fishing permit sales seen in the current financial year, aiming to attract new customers and extend the existing customer base while remaining competitive. The report highlighted that income from the fishery in 2024/25 had seen a reduction, but fishing permit sales had since risen, bringing revenue back to forecast levels. The projected income for the next financial year was £65,000.

However, during the meeting, Councillor Cheshire proposed an alternative recommendation. This alternative involved removing any increases to the day ticket fees and charges, while retaining the proposed changes to concession fees and charges. A revised version of Appendix A, detailing these amended proposals, was presented and subsequently approved.

The revised decision means that day ticket prices for the Pine Pool and other listed pools will remain unchanged from the 2025/26 rates. For example, the day ticket for Pine Pool from 1 April to 31 March will remain at £10.45, with no increase. Similarly, day tickets for Swann & Causeway, Mill, Willows, Bodymoor Heath, Heron, Kingfisher, Gibsons & Cliff Pool South will also remain at £8.25 for the same period. The seasonal price variations for these tickets are discontinued, with a flat rate now in effect.

The concession rate for day tickets from 1 April to 31 March will see a slight decrease, from £7.15 in 2025/26 to £6.80 in 2026/27, a reduction of 4.90%.

All prices for 24-hour night tickets and 12-month permits, including the Coarse Permit, Day Specimen Carp Permit, and various 24-hour Specimen Carp Permits, will remain unchanged. For instance, the Coarse Permit will continue to be priced at £99.00, and the Day Specimen Carp Permit at £165.00.

The rationale behind the original proposals included improving operational efficiency by simplifying administrative processes and reducing customer confusion, facilitating clearer marketing, and supporting integration with the recently implemented online booking platform, GoCatch. The report also noted that revenue generated from the fishery contributes to the running costs of the fishery and the wider Country Parks Service, supporting habitat and maintenance work.

The decision was made by the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Heritage and Culture, Councillor Darren Cheshire, and is subject to call-in, meaning it can be reviewed by other councillors before it is formally implemented. The approved fees and charges will come into effect from 1 April 2026.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Darren Cheshire, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Heritage and Culture, along with officers Andrew Pau (Head of Waste and County Parks), John Noakes (Green Spaces Strategy Lead), Rachel Baconnet (Service Manager – Country Parks and Green Spaces), and Nicole Conway (Democratic Services Officer). Andy Mitchell was also present as press.

The full details of the approved fees and charges can be found in the Decisions document and the revised Appendix A within the Printed minutes.