Issue - meetings

[To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture. Report of the Chief Operating Officer.] This report considers the relevant factors affecting the review of fees and charges, identifies those services where an increase is being proposed and seeks: Approval to increase the fee or charge rate to those services where an increase is proposed in line with inflation (subject to de minimis levels). Member’s agreement is sought where an alternative approach is being proposed.

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture introduced this yearly report which identifies any proposed increase to fees and charges. The appendices detailed the increases being taken forward.

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture also drew Cabinet’s attention to the proposed Spurs Day Resident Permit charge of £20.00, included at Appendix 2, page 96 of the report pack, and proposed its withdrawal from the report. This increase was put forward as part of the MTFS last year but following a further analysis by officers this year; there was an overestimation in the income to be received from this charge and it was not now an appropriate charge to take forward.

Councillor Engert referred to appendix 10a which set out the fees and charges increases to parks and leisure based activities and questioned how these increases would support the Council’s aim for reducing obesity. 

In response, the Cabinet Member for Resources and Culture referred to paragraph 8.3.6 of the report relating to swimming charges, which gave details of  the new higher quality swimming services being provided, the increase in teacher numbers and the  increased number users of these facilities. He also referred to the refurbished facilities at Tottenham Green and Park Road Pools. This higher cost would require support with increased fees. The Council had to balance the increased use of services whilst recognising the strain on council budget when setting fees and the approach taken was appropriate.

RESOLVED

1.    Taking into account the findings of equalities assessments as set out in section 8 of the report and available in full at Appendix A, to agree the proposed fees and charges to be levied by the Council with effect from 1 April 2016, unless otherwise stated, and as detailed in the appendices;

2.    To delegate approval for any necessary changes to allotment charges to the Cabinet Member for Environment following the Priority 3 review, as detailed in paragraph 8.33 of the report

3.    To note that it is anticipated that the proposed changes to fees and charges will allow the achievement of 2016-17 income budget, as opposed to delivering further additional income as in previous years.

4.    To delete the Spurs Day Resident Permit charge of £20. 00, included at Appendix 2, page 96 of the report pack.

Reasons for Decision

There was a requirement to review fees and charges annually. The financial position of the Council supported the view that levels of fees and charges should be maximised taking into account all relevant factors including the effect on service users and any consequent demand for services.

Alternative options considered

This report summarised the conclusions after consideration of a range of alternative approaches dependent on particular services and relevant factors. As such a range of alternative options ranging from no increase to differentiated rates of increases have been considered and reflected in this report.