Issue - meetings

The Head of Finance introduced the report and noted that the setting of Fees and Charges was part of the Council’s budget setting process. The reviewed charges were contained within Appendix 1 to the report.

The fees and charges proposed within the remit of the Committee related to legal services only. The increase was due to an expected rise in staffing costs and to ensure a consistent charge across the Mid-Kent Legal Partnership. It was highlighted that the projected income budgets, as outlined in the report, should be treated as indicative and subject to change.

The fees and charges considered by the Council’s other service Committee’s were attached in appendices 3-5 to the report.

Having endorsed the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure (SPI) Committee decision relating to the Park and Ride, the Committee expressed concern over the impact of the increased price of parking season tickets as agreed by the SPI Committee. The Chief Executive advised that whilst the Committee was responsible for overseeing the decisions made by the service committees on the topic, any changes to parking season ticket prices could have implications for parking policy. It was therefore appropriate that SPI be asked to consider the concerns raised by the Committee, particularly any impact on parking policy.

In response to questions, the Head of Finance confirmed that the increase in pest control charges was to recover the contractor’s increased service cost. The estimated income for the use of sports pitches across 2022-23 remained the same as the estimated income for the current financial year, despite an increase in the fees charged, as the income generated this year had been less than originally anticipated.

RESOLVED: That

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

2.  The expected statutory fees and charges set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted;

3.  The overall change in fees and charges attached within Appendices 3-5 to the report, be noted; and

4.  In light of the earlier decision in relation to the Park and Ride, reference be made back to the Strategic Planning and Infrastructure Committee to give consideration to policy implications of the decision in relation to parking season tickets, as included within Appendix 5 to the report.

Note: The Committee expressed its thanks to the Head of Finance for the work she had undertaken and wished her the best in her future endeavours.