Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Customer Service

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Alam

Commissioner:         Ney (in advisory role)

Recommendation:

That the Council’s fees and charges for 2018/19 be approved.

Consideration was given to a report which detailed the proposed fees and charges for the Regeneration and Environment Directorate for 2018/19 and beyond and were reflected in the budget savings proposals included in the Council’s Budget and Council Tax setting report, which were approved by Council on the 28^th February, 2018. 

The charges for each service were presented in Appendices A – S.  Housing Revenue Account Rents and Service charges had been agreed on 15^th January, 2018 and Allotment Rents 2019/20 agreed on 19^th February.  The report detailed fees and charges for the remainder of the Council’s services which had been increased by 3% with a few exceptions.

In addition, it was suggested that there be a revision to the Regulation and Enforcement Charges 2018/19 in relation to Section 1.9 (High Hedges) as the fee went beyond 3% and should be brought into line with the 3%.

Section 1.10 (Fixed Penalty Notices) with regards to litter, the fine would be £80.00 and £150 for a late payment. Fly tipping fines would be £300 and £400 for a late payment.

This report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as part of the pre-Scrutiny process who were in support of the recommendations and the revised amendments, subject to a further report being submitted to the Board in six months’ time to review the income targets.

The query at the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board regarding the safe removal of bees had now been responded to.

Resolved:-  That the fees and charge for 2018/19 with the revisions identified above be approved.

Consideration was given to a report which was due to be determined at the Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting on 12 March 2018 that proposing the level of fees and charges for the 2018/19 year.

It was reported that the Budget and Council Tax 2018/19 report approved by Council on 28 February 2018 had included a recommendation that all Council Fees and Charges be increased for 2018/19 by the September 2017 CPI increase of 3%, other than Fees and Charges which were set by national statute and that lists of all Fees and Charges proposed for 2018/19 are submitted to Cabinet in March for approval. It was noted that the Cabinet had already agreed Housing Revenue Account Rents and Service Charges for 2018/19 at its meeting on 15 January 2018 and agreed Allotment Rents for 2019/20 at its meeting on 19 February 2018. It was further reported that there was a statutory requirement for the Council to notify allotment tenants of fees and charges increases a year in advance. Some specific increases to fees and charges were consulted on as part of the 2018/19 budget consultation and were included within the 2018/19 budget as specific budget savings:-

·         Planning Fees

·         Riverside House Café

·         Civic Theatre

·         Parks & Country Parks

Members raised concerns regarding pest control and made specific reference to the protection of bees, which were increasingly considered to be an endangered species due to the use of pesticides. In response, it was explained that the Council charged for the services it provides in respect of pest control, but assurances would be provided outside of the meeting in respect of the way in which bees’ nests were removed.

A query was also raised in respect of the School Music Service and the reasons why the 3% increase had not been applied in this area. In response it was confirmed that the authority wished to avoid potentially pricing some families out of accessing that service.

Clarification was sought in respect of the fees and charges for town centre markets and what consideration had been giving to stall holders in the context of decreasing footfall in the town. In response, Members were reminded that the additional income from the markets service was part of the overall budget saving agreed by Council on 28 February, which had also been subject to scrutiny in December 2017. Reference was made to the long-term ambitions for the town centre and Members were reminded that the regeneration process would take time. When the bigger projects were delivered, it was anticipated that the improved town centre offer would improve footfall and business for all traders.

Members were keen to ensure that all proposed changes to fees and charges were implemented effectively and expressed a desire for a future paper outlining how income targets had been met later in the year.

Resolved:-

1.    That Cabinet be advised that the recommendation be supported.

2.    That a report be submitted in September 2018 outlining progress in meeting income targets arising from the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117