Issue - items at meetings - Fees and Charges 2012/13

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

That the Cabinet Member agrees the proposed fees and charges for 2012/13 as set out in the report.

71.1                  The Cabinet Members considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place that set out the proposed fees and charges for 2012/13.

71.2                  Councillor West explained that the Budget Process Report 2010/11 agreed at Cabinet in July 2009 specified that Fees and Charges are assumed to increase by a standard inflation rate each year, which is 2% for 2012/13. It was not always possible when amending a fee to increase it by exactly 2% each year, therefore there may be some rounding to the nearest whole figure.The implications of any additional revenue had been included in the budget setting process for 2012-13. Councillor West went on to highlight the unprecedented financial pressure placed upon the authority by central government austerity measures and the effect this had placed upon the budget setting process.

71.3                  The Head of City Infrastructure further explained that detailed comparative work with similar sized authorities had been undertaken which had shown a number of areas in which the local authority charges less than others. A proportion of the rises in fees and charges could also be attributed to an increase in covering the cost of administration.

71.4                  Councillor Mitchell commented that she had several concerns regarding the proposed fees. She believed a 67% rise in allotment rents was not warranted when the maintenance service provided by the council was not of a satisfactory standard, highlighted her unease with significantly increased fees for donated trees, plaques benches and blue badges and with the cumulative impact of fee rises in general. In particular, Councillor Mitchell felt that an increase in skip hire which would come into effect at the same time as the proposed increase in parking permits, would have a significantly detrimental effect upon tradespersons in the city and feared that these costs would be passed on to consumers at a time economic downturn.

71.5                  Councillor West responded that the council had been disproportionately hit by the central government austerity measures and had to find savings where they could to preserve jobs. Councillor West believed the administration had justified savings and the rises in fees where applicable and relayed his interest in hearing proposals from the opposition groups. He agreed with Councillor Mitchell that an improvement in allotment maintenance was necessary and he would be examining options for doing so.

71.6                  The Head of City Infrastructure agreed that allotment maintenance needed to be improved and she had met with the Allotments Federation to discuss this and the rise in fees. She clarified that large skips (usually roll on roll offs) often caused damage to the road network and it was necessary to increase costs to account for repairs. In addition, the rise in blue badge fees was due to the fact that the service was now administered by central government who had decided to implement an increased charge.

71.7                  Councillor Theobald noted his disagreement that the authority had been disproportionately hit by the central government austerity measures. He believed the administration were implementing savings in the wrong areas in particular toward the business sector. He suggested the subsidy provided to allotment holders was a historic one to assist people in improving their health and it should be maintained.

71.8                  RESOLVED- That the Cabinet Member agrees the proposed fees and charges for 2012/13 as set out in the report.