Agenda and draft minutes

The Director of Housing and Neighbourhood Services submitted the 2013/14 proposed fees for Community Protection Services.  A report would be submitted to the Licensing Committee on licensing activities falling within that Committee’s terms of reference.

The proposed charges were as follows:-

Houses in Multiple Occupation

A fee was payable to the Local Authority in respect of licenses for houses in multiple occupation once every 5 years.  Government guidance suggested a minimum fee of £350.  Having studied the guidance and comparative fees in neighbouring councils, it was proposed that the charge be increased with the Corporate advised inflationary uplift of 2.5%.

Housing Act 2004 Legal Notices

The Council had adopted powers in the Housing Act 2004 to charge for the service of Legal Notices.  The charge was variable according to the details of the case and the circumstances of those involved, therefore a specific charge could not be levied other than identifying that the indicative level was likely to be in the region of £400.

It was often the case that once a landlord was warned of the charges levied for the Notices, they complied with the Legislation without necessitating the service of a Legal Notice.

Pollution Control

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 provided for the setting of fees and charges at levels that would recover costs of local authorities.

Fees for EPA Part A2 and Part B processes were set in accordance with statutorily prescribed DEFRA guidance and national fees. The level of fees was subject to consultation with local authorities, however, DEFRA, in recognition of the economic climate nationally, was again recommending a board freeze on fees and charges. 

In Rotherham income generated from such permitted premises had again fallen during the past year as a consequence of a number of businesses closing. 

A full schedule of the proposed 2013/14 fees and charges were set out at Appendix A of the report submitted.

Resolved:-  That the proposed fees and charges for 2013/14 be approved.