Agenda item - Fees & Charges 2018/2019 - Sport and Leisure, Venues and Libraries

Report of the Executive Director Economy, Environment & Culture (copy attached)

That the committee approves the fees and charges for the Seafront for 2018/19 in Appendix 1.

That the committee notes the fees and charges for the Sports Facilities for 2018/19 in Appendix 2a.

That the committee approves the fees and charges for the Golf Courses for 2018/19 in Appendix 2b.

That the committee approves the fees and charges for the Brighton Centre for 2018/19 in Appendix 3.

That the committee approves the fees and charges for Outdoor Events for 2018/19 in Appendix 4.

That the committee approves the fees and charges for Libraries for 2018/19 in Appendix 5.

That the committee grants delegated authority for officers nominated by the Executive Director to negotiate hire fees where commercially necessary outside the approved fees & charges.

47.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture in relation to Fees & Charges 2017/18. The combined report presented the review of fees and charges across five service areas: Seafront, Sports Facilities (including golf courses), Venues (The Brighton Centre), Outdoor Events and Libraries. The changes would be implemented from April 2017 unless otherwise stated.

47.2    Councillor Nemeth formally proposed his amendment and explained that the beach hut transfer fees were to be increased by 1378% which was exploitative and there was no explicit basis in the Corporate Policy for profit making in relation to cost recovery. He felt it was unnecessary to include the comparison to the local authorities’ charges and these did not need to be aligned. He added that the additional charges could reflect the maintenance on the beach huts. The Conservative Group amendment requested that the increase was paid in equal instalments over three years.

47.3    Councillor Mears formally seconded the amendment and explained that the beach huts were intended for local residents and not the elite; however, the proposed amendment would ensure the increased charges would not affect the families who own a beach hut.

47.4    In response to Councillor Mears the Head of Sport & Leisure clarified that the concrete chalets in the Saltdean area were rented from the council and the charges would not affect these. The wooden beach huts in Brighton & Hove were privately owned and there was not a waiting list on these. The Chair added that the beach huts were sold commercially and the fee would only be sold once the beach hut was resold and was not an ongoing cost.

47.5    Councillor Moonan noted that the current price for a beach hut was £16,000 - £22,000 and were, therefore, not available to everyone in the city and were for the elite. She added that the current owners of the beach hut would gain additional money from selling.

47.6    In response to Councillor Mac Cafferty the Sports Facilities Manager explained that the leisure card would retain a maximum of 40% discount and the prices were to be kept in line with the standard rate. Councillor Mac Cafferty suggested freezing the prices of the leisure card as they encouraged vulnerable people in the city to engage in sport and activities. The Head of Sport & Leisure agreed to suggest this to Freedom Leisure.

47.7    In response to Councillor Druitt it was noted that the charge for ordering books was increased from £3.50 to £7 in 2017 and the figures had remained steady and were not impacted by the fees.

47.8    Councillor Druitt explained that it was logical to align the fees of the beach huts with the neighbouring authorities and the proposal was fair in comparison. He noted that he wanted the beach huts to be available to local residents, regardless of their wealth; however, there were more important services that needed to be funded within the council. He further explained that the fees and charges should be fully discussed and agreed at Budget Council on 22 February 2018; therefore, he would abstain from the vote.

47.9    Councillor Allen agreed with Councillor Druitt regarding the services that needed to be funding within the council. He was pleased that the Brighton Centre would continue to provide favourable rates to the Brighton & Hove Schools Concert.

47.10  Councillor Nemeth explained that the increase in the transfer fee would make current owners less likely to sell them and they could, therefore, be left in a bad condition. He added that the proposed Conservative Group amendment did not conflict with what was said in the debate by the other Members.

47.11  The Chair then put the Conservative Group amendment to the vote. This was not carried with 3 votes in support and 7 votes against.

47.12  The Chair put the recommendations to the vote and these were carried with 8 votes for and 2 abstentions.

47.13  RESOLVED –

1)    That the committee approves the fees and charges for the Seafront for 2018/19 in Appendix 1.

2)    That the committee notes the fees and charges for the Sports Facilities for 2018/19 in Appendix 2a.

3)    That the committee approves the fees and charges for the Golf Courses for 2018/19 in Appendix 2b.

4)    That the committee approves the fees and charges for the Brighton Centre for 2018/19 in Appendix 3.

5)    That the committee approves the fees and charges for Outdoor Events for 2018/19 in Appendix 4.

6)    That the committee approves the fees and charges for Libraries for 2018/19 in Appendix 5.

7)    That the committee grants delegated authority for officers nominated by the Executive Director to negotiate hire fees where commercially necessary outside the approved fees & charges.