Agenda item

Review of Fees and Charges for 2018/19

Minutes:

OSDM.2/17    

The meeting considered a report that set out proposals for fees and charges for all services for 2018/19.

 

In discussion, reference was made to:-

 

(a)    play area inspections.  Whilst some Members were of the view that an increase to £70 in the inspections service was significant, the point was made that the Public Spaces Working Group was supportive of the proposed increases;

 

(b)    increases in Planning Fees.  The Meeting was advised that the 20% increase in Planning Fees (came into effect on 17 January 2018) would generate upwards of £120,000 in additional income for the Council;

 

(c)    ‘Pay on Entry’ charges for public conveniences.  Members felt it would be beneficial to provide the Executive with a steer on the proposed charges and it was therefore PROPOSED and SECONDED and when put to the vote declared CARRIED that this charge ‘should not exceed 20 pence’;

 

(d)    the transfer of public convenience ownership from the Council to a local town/parish council.  A Member emphasised the importance of any town or parish council who was considering such a transfer being made aware by the Council that they would be liable for Business Rates on this asset;

 

(e)    dinghy parking at Coronation Park.  A Member questioned why officers were recommending no increase in the fees and charges being applied for dinghy parking at Coronation Park, whilst proposing that every other dinghy park incur an increase.  In reply, officers advised that the fees and charges applied to Coronation Park had increased by 100% in 2017/18 to reflect the significant capital works that had been undertaken at that time.  As a consequence, it was not considered appropriate for these to be increased again in 2018/19.

 

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 be approved;

 

2.      the proposed Environmental Health Charges that are outside of the jurisdiction of the Licensing Committee 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.      it approves:

 

       - an overall percentage increase of 2% to car park charges and to delegate responsibility of implementing the increase to the Group Manager for Commercial Services, in consultation with the lead Executive Member, following consultation with representative bodies (including town and parish councils); and

 

     - the withdrawal of weekly parking tickets;

 

6.      delegated authority be given to the Group Manager for Commercial Services, in consultation with the lead Executive Member, to set the Commercial Waste charges, once all the price modelling factors are known;

 

7.      delegated authority be given to the Group Manager for Commercial Services, in consultation with the lead Executive Member, to set the Public Conveniences ‘Pay on Entry’ charges (which should not exceed 20 pence), following completion of works and a review of appropriate charges; and

 

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

 

 

Supporting documents: