Issue - items at meetings - Fees and Charges Review 2018-2019

[To approve the fees and charges to take effect from 1 November 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter]

1. That the fees and charges as set out in Appendices A to D to the report be approved to take effect from 1 November 2017 (or as soon as possible thereafter).

2. That in the following instances, authority be jointly delegated to the responsible Strategic Director in consultation with the Director of Finance, to vary fees and charges during the financial year:

a. Where the cost of food (including frozen food) and drink procured for resale or onward supply changes, fees and charges may be set taking the new costs into account.

b. Where short-term change in fees and charges to ensure that a business opportunity can be pursued or secured; if the change is for a period of more than two months then the change should be referred to Cabinet (Resources) Panel for decision during the two month period.

c. Where an opportunity arises to secure a sale by matching the price to that of an organisation the Council is in competition with, ensuring that satisfactory ‘price match’ documentation is maintained to evidence the one-off fee amendment.

d. Where market conditions dictate, leisure membership fees may be varied providing that satisfactory market information is maintained.

e. Leisure centre activity prices may be varied in line with market conditions providing that satisfactory market information is maintained.

f. Charges to partner organisations for support services may be varied.

g. Court summons costs charged to council tax and business rates payers may be varied following default on payments.

h. Where the cost of poison procured for the purpose of pest control changes, pest control fees and charges may be varied in proportion with the change in costs.

i. Where market conditions dictate, charges for commercial waste collection may be varied providing that satisfactory market information is maintained.

j. Library charges may be varied to fall in line with Black Country Libraries in Partnership (BCLiP) participating authorities (Dudley, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Sandwell).

k. Adult Education Service charges may be varied in response to Skills Funding Agency and Education Funding Agency funding allocations for the applicable academic year.

l. Charges to schools/academies for services delivered under Service Level Agreements (SLAs) may be varied.

m. Where bespoke professional services are provided to external organisations.

3. That in the following instances, authority be jointly delegated to the responsible Cabinet Member for the service and Cabinet Member for Resources, in consultation with the relevant Strategic Director and the Director of Finance as appropriate, to vary existing fees and charges during the financial year:

a. Where the Council wishes to subsidise a charitable event that may not break even financially for the authority.

b. Where the Council wishes to generate income from advertising upon Council property.

c. Where the Council wishes to vary charges for bars and catering.

d. Where it is beneficial to the Council to generate additional income that will reduce the net budget.

4. That where there is an opportunity to secure an act or event or utilise available rooms or ... view the full decision text for item 5

Councillor Andrew Johnson presented the report on proposed tariffs for the majority of fees and charges receivable by the Council, to take effect from 1 November 2017 (or as soon as possible thereafter).

An addendum to the report was tabled containing statutory Register Office fees for 2018/2019 which were received from the Government after the report had been published.

Councillor Steve Evans reported on proposed fees and charges relating to his portfolio area, particularly for the markets, bereavement services and car parking.

Resolved:

1. That the fees and charges as set out in Appendices A to D to the report, including the fees set out in the addendum to the report be approved to take effect from 1 November 2017 (or as soon as possible thereafter).