Burial fees and waste collection charges will increase from April. The new amounts were agreed at a meeting of Swale council’s cabinet committee.

It means the cost of a first burial or interment will rise by 3%, taking cemetery fees in Sittingbourne, Faversham and Murston to £1,305. On Sheppey, the price will climb from £1,146 to £1,180.

The increase will also apply to cremations, scatterings of ashes and use of chapels in Sittingbourne and Faversham.

Residents will also pay more for bulky waste collections, which are rising from £17.60 to £18.17. In addition, the cost of wheelie bin replacement will rise from £413.60 to £427.25 for the largest size.

There is better news for brown bin users, with the cost of the garden waste service decreasing from £40.60 to £35.

Charges for hiring senior sports facilities are also going up, with the cost of hiring a changing room with shower rising from £63 to £65. However, charges for all under-16s sports usage is staying the same.

Allotment holders will pay £33 instead of £32, while play groups will be charged £27 instead of £25 to hire a council-owned hall.

There was better news for drivers, with no increase in council car park and season ticket charges.

Residents’ parking permits will also stay the same, as will car park fixed-penalty notices, which are set at £25 at the lower end.

The council estimates it will generate an additional £20,000 from the price hikes.

Cllr Mike Whiting, (Con) Swale representative for Kemsley ward, said: “The increases are in line with inflation

“It was right that we froze prices for car parking and youth sports facilities.”

In the past financial year, the council earned approximately £3.6 million in fees and charges imposed across the borough.

Cllr Martin McCusker (Labour) Swale representative for Roman ward, remained resolutely unimpressed with the new costs.

He said: “Labour have been advocating free car parking in Swale, as we believe there’s a big argument for the council not to make as much from charges and fees as they do.

“The increased charges for sports facilities are despite the £12 million the council has in its reserves.”