The Director of Finance and Business Improvement introduced the report which was presented to the Committee annually. The changes proposed to the discretionary fees had been considered in light of the Council’s recovery to Covid-19 and included modest inflationary increases.

In response to questions, the Head of Planning and Development confirmed that the discretionary fees proposed in relation to the pre-application advice charges for Householder Proposals and Major Development Proposals were based on the cost to the Council of providing the service, rather than income generation. A detailed review of the discretionary charges relating to planning had taken place in 2020 and the proposed charges for 2022-23 were felt to be justified.

In requestion to further questions, the Parking Services Manager confirmed that the fewer applications than expected had been received for the nightly 12-month season ticket despite its advertisement. This type of permit had been introduced last year to accommodate those residents living within the town centre, as opposed to the Residents Parking Scheme which was more suitable for residents living in the outskirts of the town centre where parking spaces were more readily available. The scheme would continue to be advertised. The proposed increase in season tickets were intended to reduce the disparity between the tickets price in relation to standard parking tariffs, which had arisen as the season ticket price had remained constant for several years. 

The Parking Services Manager confirmed that in relation to season ticket prices, public consultation had taken place last year as part of the process in amending the Traffic Regulation Orders required. Issuing a greater number of permits than there was parking spaces was standard practice.

RESOLVED: That

1.  The proposed discretionary fees and charges as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be agreed; and

2.  The expected statutory fees and charges as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be noted.