Meanwhile, off-street parking cost the borough a shade around £3 million to deliver, but brought in revenue of £3.5 million. The AA claims the figures reflect a trend across England of councils making much more from parking than the provision of the service costs them. “Originally, council parking charges were supposed to cover the cost of controlled and ordered provision. “On-street charges might encourage turnover of spaces and permits were supposed to protect residents’ parking from hogging by outsiders. “Charges were supposed to cover the cost of providing and enforcing this parking, with some profit from fines and reward for successful parking and commercial policies.