Agenda item

In accordance with Minute No. 189 of the 13^th March, 2017, Cabinet and Commissioners Decision Making meeting, Damien Wilson, Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment, presented an update on progress regarding the full cost recovery in respect of the Regeneration and Environment Directorate fees and charges. 

The update set out progress made towards setting charges to ensure full cost recovery as well as the impact of changes to Pest Control fees and charges which had been an area of concern.

In terms of the specific service areas it was noted:-

Planning and Building Control Service – A new charge has been introduced from July 2017 in respect of property addressing, on the basis of covering the cost of officer working hours, correspondence with relevant authorities and officiated bodies, production of plans and integration of naming and numbering into the Council's GIS systems. As this was a new charge, take-up was being assessed and would help mitigate the £12k shortfall on the budget.

Property Search Fees – These were as a result of changes through the Law Society.  The new fees reflected the additional questions and an assessment of the extra officer time required and were based on the actual cost of providing and maintaining the information, as directed by the Local Authorities (England) (Charges for Property Searches) Regulations 2008.  The increase in charges had impacted on the number of customers using the service and work was ongoing to increase the customer base.  Currently a £25k shortfall against the budget is being reported.

Building Regulation Charges – This service was self-funding with no current pressures.

Community Protection Charges – The service was subject to different charges following a re-structure how it charged for some services. 

Customer Services – Registration Services – The demand for Registration Services was difficult to predict.  Currently a £14k pressure was being reported in the Financial Monitoring Report in respect of this Service, due to a reduced number of bookings in the calendar currently.      

Business Regulation Charges – These were on track with no pressure.

Pest Control Fees – Pest control fees in 2017/18 were increased across a range of pest control services including rats, mice, moles, fleas, cockroaches and wasps nests. 

Development of fees and charges for the 2018/19 financial year were currently being developed as part of the 2018/19 budget savings proposals and would be submitted to the February, 2018 Cabinet and Commissioners Decision Making meeting.

Discussion ensued with the following issues raised/clarified:-

·                Clarification of the position with regard to the payment of Council tenants for the removal of rats from properties.

·                The need for key messages that could be conveyed to the public with regard to the feeding of birds etc. that attracted rats.

·                Pricing structure for the treatment of bedbugs changing from an hourly rate to a fixed charge for a maximum of 4 treatments.

·                Numbers of rats inside/outside properties.  There was significant variance between the years, but this was dependent upon the seasons.

·                No noticeable drop when the increased charges had been introduced in 2015/16 with the same level of interest.  There had been no complaints/Freedom of Information requests leading to the conclusion that the charges had had very little impact.

·                Service charges applied by the Council were very competitive with external exterminator companies

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and the update on fees and charges be noted.

(2)  That the progress made towards full cost recovery in respect of Regeneration and Environment fees and charges be noted.