Agenda item

Cllr Shires explained that this was an annual process to ensure the Council was charging correctly and appropriately. Some of the fees were set by Government, some the Council was only allowed to recover costs, and there were others where it had more discretion. Cllr Shires explained that the Licensing charges had changed quite significantly. The ADELS confirmed this was thanks to an extensive piece of work by the ELBSM to review the fees and charges to ensure it was now based on a cost recovery basis. In answer to a question from Cllr Bayes the ADELS explained the change to a true cost recovery basis sat within guidance as to how the Council should be setting their fees and charges, but this meant that some would go down. What that also meant was there would be an annual fluctuation of those fees as they considered the cost it took to issue each licence from the previous year. For example, some caravan licences had increased but animal licences had been spilt across two parts so appeared lower to the previous year’s charges.

Cllr Shires noted that beach huts and chalets had been included incorrectly in the paper. The decision had been made to stop short term leases. Those figures would be removed.

The ADELS responded to a query from the Chair stating that other Environmental Health fees had been benchmarked where possible against neighbouring Councils. The ADELS explained to the Committee, after a question from Cllr Housden, that there was case law that the Council could not make a profit on licensing fees so there was no surplus to the fees charged.

Cllr Gray felt the cost for HCP parking seemed very cheap, and it was not performing as it should based on the investment the HCP had received. He wondered if any comparison had been done against similar country parks. The ADELS advised they had compared with other parks and found the cost comparable to similar sites. The ADELS acknowledged there had been investment but that was in staff and welfare and not something for which visitors would see the benefit.

Cllrs Shires said making HCP accessible for the public was important, as was making that asset sustainable beyond the life of the Council, so she would look to ensure the Council was getting best value and to investigate ways to possibly generate more income. Cllr Gray welcomed maintaining HCP as it was a valuable asset.

The Chair felt a little more explanation over the origin of the greater variance of fees, or why that was, as part of the report would have been helpful. Cllr Shires said that she was always happy to help the Committee and welcomed their feedback.

The Committee RESOLVED to recommend to Cabinet and Full Council:

• The fees and charges from 1^st April 2026 as included in Appendix A.

That delegated authority be given to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Directors/Assistant Director to agree the fees and charges not included within Appendix A as required (outlined within the report).