Agenda item

[Report of the Director of Finance. To be introduced by Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration]

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. Member's agreement where an alternative approach is being proposed.

The meeting paused whilst Cllr Ejiofor, Leader of the Council recused himself from the meeting as he had a disclosable pecuniary interest, as a licensed garage holder in the report. Cllr Bull, Cabinet Member for Local Investment and Economic Growth also recused himself for his item as a licensed garage holder – 9.07pm

Cllr Amin, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families continued to chair the meeting for this item.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Regeneration introduced the report which sought approval to the Fees and Charges to be applied to services at the start of 2021/22.

The Cabinet Member outlined that the Council’s income policy required, as a minimum, an annual review of the level of the fees and charges levied upon service users with a view to ensuring that income is maximised commensurate with the full recovery of costs.

This report considered the relevant factors affecting the review of fees and charges, identified those services where an increase was being proposed and sought approval to increase the fee or charge rate to those services where an increase is proposed in line with inflation. Member’s agreement where an alternative approach is being proposed.

The Cabinet Member outlined that it was important that, as part of the Council’s on-going financial planning, there was compliance with the Council’s policy to review fees and charges, as a minimum annually, taking account of issues such as the general economic climate, the Council’s overall financial position and delivery of the objectives of the Borough Plan.

In response to questions from Cllr Dennison the following was noted:

• There would be no charging for use of tennis courts in the 2021/22 financial year.

• Residents would be able opt out of using changing rooms and therefore not need to pay the prescribed charge.

• The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Equalities and Leisure, would be exploring with officers how overall Parks were financed and in particular consider fees and charges, also making sure that people on low incomes were not disadvantaged.

RESOLVED

1. To agree the proposed non-statutory fees and charges to be levied by the Council with effect from 1 April 2021, 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.
2. To note the statutory fees and charges to be levied by the Council with effect from 1 April 2021.
3. To note that the Council’s draft 2021/22 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2021/22-2025/26 assumes that the changes to Fees & Charges set out in this report are agreed.

Reasons for Decision

It is a requirement to review fees and charges as a minimum annually. The financial position of the Council supports the view that levels of fees and charges should be maximised where possible, taking into account all relevant factors including the effect on service users and any consequent demand for services.

Alternative options considered

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