Issue - meetings

Councillor Russell, the Lead Member for Leisure and Arts, introduced a report setting out the proposed fees and charges for 2023/24 for the services within the remit of the Committee.  The Lead Member wished to highlight that it was proposed that there be a reduction in market charges to encourage the take-up of pitches.

In response to questions by Members, the Director of Finance, Resources and Business Improvement explained that:

·  The Leisure Centre was run under a contract with the Maidstone Leisure Trust and Serco Leisure Limited, so the Council did not have any direct control over the charges applied there.  This was also the case in respect of the Hazlitt Theatre which was outsourced.

·  In accordance with the Council’s Charging Policy, Managers were given discretion to propose different levels of charges, but they did seek to maximise income where possible to cover costs.  With inflation running at 10%, it was almost inevitable that the Council’s costs would increase.  Managers had been asked to consider increasing fees and charges by 5% as a default to cover the Council’s costs unless there were overriding circumstances as with the market.

During the discussion, it was suggested that the Executive be recommended to look at the collection of mooring fees and the opportunities to further commercialise.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the report be noted.

2.  TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE:

  (i)  That the Fees and Charges, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

  (ii)  That a review be undertaken of the collection of mooring fees and the opportunities to further commercialise.