Agenda item

Review of Fees and Charges for 2019/20

Minutes:

OSDM.3/18    

The meeting considered a report that set out proposals for fees and charges for all services for 2019/20.

 

In discussion, reference was made to:-

 

(a)   site sponsorship charges.  As an income generation opportunity to the Council, Members were of the view that there was scope to increase the promotion and awareness of the site sponsorship activity;

 

(b)   memorials charges.  A Member felt that the ability to impose charges on items such as planters and picnic benches should be further explored;

 

(c)    boat storage charges.  Since the agenda report highlighted that last year had seen the first increase of the boat storage charges since 2010, a Member questioned whether the fees should be increased further than was being proposed.  In response, officers confirmed that the Harbour Master had been tasked with reviewing all aspects of the boat storage charges during the next financial year;

 

(d)   planning enforcement related fees and charges.  A Member did not feel there was any reason to justify the proposal for those fees and charges related to planning enforcement to be retained at the 2018/19 levels.  In response, officers informed that the fees had only been introduced in 2018/19 and, to date, take up had been very low and this trend would not be reversed if these charges were increased.  Nonetheless, the Member retained his view and PROPOSED that:

 

‘The planning enforcement related fees and charges for 2019/20 be increased in line with inflation.’

 

This proposal was not seconded and was therefore not subject to any debate;

 

(e)   zoo licensing charges.  An additional recommendation was PROPOSED and SECONDED and when put to the vote declared CARRIED that:-

 

‘Officers undertake a review into all aspects of fees and charges related to zoo licensing with these being reported back to the joint Budget Consultation meeting in January 2020.’

It was then:

 

RECOMMENDED

 

That the Executive RECOMMEND to Council that:-

 

1.     the proposed fees and charges set out for Parks, Open Spaces and Outdoor Sports (as outlined in Appendix A of the presented agenda report) be approved;

 

2.     the proposed Environmental Health Charges (as outlined in Appendix B of the presented agenda report) be approved;

    

3.    the proposed Fees and Charges for Development Management (as set out in Appendix C of the presented agenda report) be approved;

 

4.    delegated authority be given to the Group Manager for Commercial Services, in consultation with the lead Executive Member, to set the Dartmouth Lower Ferry Fees to take account of market conditions, including competitor charges;

 

5.    there are no changes to the Car Park Charges for 2019/20, except for where this has been agreed as an alternative to the implementation of Pay on Entry at public toilets (NB. a report will be presented to the Executive in this respect in due course);

 

6.    the proposed changes to Boat Storage Charges (as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the presented agenda report) be approved;

 

7.    delegated authority is given to the Group Manager for Commercial Services and Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to set the Commercial Waste charges, once all the price modelling factors are known;

 

8.    officers undertake a review into all aspects of fees and charges related to zoo licensing, with these being reported back to the joint Budget Consultation meeting in January 2020.

 

 

Supporting documents: