Issue - meetings

The Director of Finance and Business Improvement presented the Fees and Charges 2020/21 Report to the Committee.  The report set out the proposed fees and charges for 2020/21 for the services within the remit of the Committee.

The Committee noted that the fees and charges were fundamental to the Council in terms of their provision of an income stream and without them there would be a fifty percent loss of income for the Council.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy had set a standstill budget which had assumed that there would be inflationary increases for both income and expenditure. 

It was noted that parking services brought in income of just over £3 million in the current year.  However it was not proposed to put up an inflationary increase each year as this would produce very small increases which would be pointless and would irritate customers so it was proposed that the fees would be increased every two to three years.

In response to questions from Members, the Parking Services Manager advised that:

·  There was a small risk that some customers would select the new 2 hour tariff for parking instead of the 3 hour thus reducing income.  However, to not introduce the 2 hour tariff would not meet customer needs.

·  New machines are being installed which would accept credit card payments or cash. 

Comments from the Members included:-

·  A concern that the rise in car parking fees was being used as a funding source.

·  That an increase in car parking fees would have a detrimental effect on trade in the town. 

·  There should be more promotion of the car parks to boost income.

·  Congestion in the town centre caused poor air quality so should the Council be promoting the car parks in the town centre.

·  The fees and charges were consistent with the Council’s policy. 

·  Climate change needed to be funded.

·  That the planning budget needed to be properly scrutinised to ascertain whether there was sufficient funds going forward for the Local Plan Review.

·  That Officers look at re-scoping the street naming, development and conservation control budgets.

RESOLVED:  That

1)  The proposed discretionary fees and charges (including breakeven
  charges) as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be agreed;

2)  Officers investigate further the scope of charges related to street
  naming and development and conservation control practices.

Councillor Parfitt-Reid left the meeting at 8.25 p.m. during the discussion of this item.