Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Finance.  To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Local Investment.

The Council's income policy requires an annual review of the level of the fees and charges levied upon service users. 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 or member agreement where an alternative approach is being proposed.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Investment introduced the report which set out the Fees and Charges (F&Cs) proposed from the start of the financial year 2023/24, proposing increases in line with inflation to offset the costs increases associated with those service, or alternatives where circumstances indicate this is appropriate.  The Cabinet Member acknowledged the pressure that the cost of living crisis is putting on households, but added that there was little choice other than to look to ensure that the Council maintained its income in real terms, therefore continuing with the policy of annual increases linked to CPI inflation rates.

In response to questions from Councillor Cawley-Harrison, the following was noted:

-           Appendix 7 – waste transfer notes increased in cost by 66% over two years.  This was following benchmarking with neighbouring boroughs and the commercial sector.  This increase was incremental over two years.

-           Appendix 8b – standard charges have increased by 10% but environmental impact fees have only increased by 5%.  This was following benchmarkng with neighbouring boroughs.  The increase would ensure affordability but remain competitive in the commercial sense.

Following a question from Councillor Cawley-Harrison, it was noted that appendix 2 of the report, listing Traffic Management, was incorrect and a further decision would be required to approve this appendix.  The Director for Finance proposed that the rest of the report be approved, without appendix 2, and that when the budget was presented to Full Council, an amended appendix could be presented at that meeting.

Post meeting note:  Following further consideration on the appropriate route for approval of appendix 2 after the meeting , an additional 28-day notice was published on 13 February 2023 to allow for the decision to be taken by a Cabinet Member Signing.  This is in accordance with the executive responsibilities as set out in the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED

1.         To agree the proposed non-statutory fees and charges to be levied by the Council with effect from 1 April 2023, unless otherwise stated, and as detailed in Section 8 and Appendices I – XIII taking into account the findings of equalities assessments as set out in section 10 of the report.  (Note, this does not include the approval of appendix II, which would be subject to approval separately once amended)

2.         To delegate the final decision on staff parking charges for 2023/24 to the Director of Culture, Strategy and Engagement in consultation with the Lead Member for Finance and Local Investment (paragraph 8.23)

3.         To authorise officers to undertake the statutory process required under Section 46A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act to increase parking charges in line with the recommended inflation (paragraph 8.11). 

4.         To note the statutory fees and charges to be levied by the Council with effect from 1 April 2023.

5.         To note that the Council’s draft 2023/24 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2023/24-2027/28 assumes that the changes to Fees and Charges set out in this report are agreed.

Reasons for Decision

Under  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11