The Panel are to receive a report on the Review of Fees and Charges. (To Follow)
Contact:A Forth 388605
Minutes:
With the aid of a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which has been appended in the Minute Book) the Review of Fees and Charges was presented to the Panel.
In introducing the report the Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources stated that the fees and charges presented to Members was a draft and that there was an opportunity to suggest amendments.
In response to the question, why had the fees and charges which are set nationally been included, as there is nothing the Council can do to affect these, the Head of Resources reminded Members that it is a statutory requirement for Councils to publish a complete schedule of fees and charges including those that the Council has no control over.
The Panel welcomed the news that there will be no increase in car park charges next year and hopes that this stance is maintained as the schedule of fees and charges is finalised in the budget setting process.
Members noted that £140k of the £170k increase is being generated by One Leisure, in particular by swimming and swimming lessons. Concern was expressed that the increases would have an adverse impact upon customer numbers. In response, the Panel was informed that fees for swimming and swimming lessons have not increased in two years. Competitor analysis has been carried out and found that the fees at One Leisure remains cheaper than at leisure centres in Peterborough and Bedfordshire. In addition, it is not anticipated that customer numbers would be adversely affected by any fee increases as there are currently waiting lists for swimming lessons.
A Member suggested that to charge £5.50 per child to visit the Paxton Pits Visitor Centre was a little excessive. However they added that the fee for a zoo licence was not enough and that thought could be given to increasing it. The Executive Councillor responded by stating that the suggestions would be considered by Cabinet.
It was suggested that little increases in fees and often would perhaps be a better approach than no increase for a while followed by a large increase.
Concern was raised that there are large increases on room hire at the Countryside Park however there is no comparison data and it is difficult to establish what was raised in previous years. In response, the Panel was informed that where there is no obvious comparator the relevant Head of Service and Executive Councillor could decide to have an inflationary increase or a round number increase.
It was noted that the report does not contain information of the total revenue raised by fees and charges or how much is raised by each department.
The Panel welcomed reducing the charges for farmers’ market traders to zero in order to encourage more traders.
A Member stated that the analysis in the report did not go into enough depth and where there are large increases the narrative to explain the reasons why was lacking. There was also no narrative on the competitor analysis and any stress testing carried out. In addition, the Cabinet may want to give thought to displaying the increase in fees and charges as a percentage of the total revenue raised.
(At 7.03pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor J A Gray entered the meeting.)
(At 7.04pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor Mrs D C Reynolds entered the meeting.)
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