Issue - meetings

Issue for decision

The Committee was asked to consider proposals for setting the level of fees and charges for 2016/17 for services where the Committee raises income by charging the user of the service and where the setting of the fee or charge is discretionary; and to also note the level of any fees and charges that may be set in accordance with statutory requirements where these apply to the Committee’s range of services.

The Committee was also asked to consider the impact of the proposed changes in the level of fees and charges on the Council’s medium term financial strategy and the budget for 2017/17.

Decision made

1.  That the Committee approves the proposed fees and charges for 2016/17 as set out in detail in Appendix A of the report of 19 January 2016.

2.  That the Committee approves the budget increase set out in Appendix A and summarised in Table 1 at paragraph 2.6 of the report of 19 January 2016.

The Committee was asked to consider proposals for setting the level of fees and charges for 2016/17 for services where the Committee raised income by charging the user of the service and where the setting of the fee or charge was discretionary; and to also note the level of any fees and charges that may be set in accordance with statutory requirements where these apply to the Committee’s range of services.

The Committee was also asked to consider the impact of the proposed changes in the level of fees and charges on the Council’s medium term financial strategy and the budget for 2016/17.

The Committee heard once the fees and charges for 2016/17 were agreed they would then move to the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Committee was informed that the table on page 61 of the agenda point 2.6 showed the actual deliverable budget for the coming year along with the new proposed budget which proposed a £100k increase to just under £5m.  This was not considered a stretching target.

The Committee heard there was little it could do to set fees and charges locally as Building Control fees were set annually as a statutory requirement and planning fees were set by Central Government.  Off Street Parking was more flexible and proposals were to increase parking charges to manage demand for popular car parks and redirect users to other car parks.  However, the proposed increases would not bring the 2016/17 budget up to the level of income in 2014/15.

The Head of Finance and Resources confirmed he had responded to the Government consultation on the financial settlement and had suggested local authorities needed the ability to set their own fees and charges for services that were currently set by Central Government.  As a minimum this should be to enable the Council to recover the full cost of services such as development management.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Committee approves the proposed fees and charges for 2016/17 as set out in detail in Appendix A of the report of 19 January 2016.

Voting:  For – 7  Against – 0  Abstentions - 0

2.  That the Committee approves the budget increase set out in Appendix A and summarised in Table 1 at paragraph 2.6 of the report of 19 January 2016.

Voting:  For – 7  Against – 0  Abstentions – 0