Agenda item

FEES AND CHARGES 2021/22

Summary:

 

 

Options considered:

This report recommends the fees and charges for 2021/22 that will come into effect from April 2021.

 

Alternatives for the individual service fees and charges now being proposed will have been considered as part of the process in arriving at the fees presented within the report.

 

Conclusions:

 

The fees and charges as recommended will be used to inform the income budgets for the 2021/22 budget.  Approval for the fees ahead of presenting the detailed budgets allows for implementation of changes where applicable and also informs the 2021/22 budgets.

 

Recommendations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons for

Recommendations:

 

That Cabinet agree and recommend to Full Council: a) The fees and charges from 1 April 2021 as included in Appendix A.

b) That Delegated Authority be given to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Heads of Service, to agree those fees and charges not included within Appendix A as required as outlined within the report

 

To approve the fees and charges as set out in the report that will be used to inform the 2021/22 budget process.

 

LIST OF BACKGROUND PAPERS AS REQUIRED BY LAW

(Papers relied on to write the report, which do not contain exempt information and which are not published elsewhere)

 

Current fees and charges

 

Cabinet Member(s)

Eric Seward

 

Ward(s) affected: All

Contact Officer, telephone number and email:

Lucy Hume, 01263 516246, lucy.hume@north-norfolk.gov.uk

 

Minutes:

Cllr E Seward - Portfolio Holder for Finance and Assets introduced the report and informed Members that it was an annual report to consider any changes to the Council’s fees and charges, prior to setting the budget. He added that the fees and charges had been frozen where possible, to account for the impact of Covid-19.

 

Questions and Discussion

 

   i.          Cllr N Housden referred to point 2.4 and noted that some fees had not been published in relation to the waste contract, and asked whether these related to monitoring software mentioned in the last waste contract monitoring report. Cllr N Lloyd replied that the unpublished fees and charges did not relate to the monitoring software, and instead related to commercial waste fees which were dependent on gate fees at the County’s waste processing centres. He added that as the service was commercial, it was also not advisable to advertise the proposed fees this early in the year.

 

  ii.          The Chairman asked whether any consideration had been given to reducing fees such as car parking charges, as a means of supporting residents and businesses impacted by Covid-19. The CE replied that there had not been any formal consideration of reducing these charges, though the Council did hold data on individual car park use over the summer period, that could be discussed at a future meeting. He added that in general terms, coastal car parks had seen higher usage in July, August and September, whereas in-land car parks had seen reduced numbers. It was noted that periods of free parking had been provided in Holt following the fire at Budgens, and in North Walsham on account of engineering works.

 

iii.          The Chairman noted that free parking had been offered in Sheringham, and asked the local Member to provide further information. Cllr L Withington stated that traders would appreciate that no increase in parking charges had been proposed, and added that it  would be helpful to discuss the potential for offering limited free parking to support town centres and local businesses. The CE replied that the Government’s revenue support scheme was set to be in place until 31st March 2021, and any changes to the Council’s prevailing policy within that timeframe would not be covered by the scheme. He added that the Council continued to provide a range of non-statutory functions for residents such as public conveniences, which required significant funding that should be taken into account when setting future fees and charges.

 

iv.          Cllr E Seward stated that on the basis of the financial information available, the Council had a balanced in-year budget, and the same was expected for 2021/22. As a result, there was no requirement to increase charges, though it was notable that parking income generated approximately £2m per annum, which provided a significant proportion of funding for the Council’s discretionary services.

 

 v.          The Chairman clarified that the purpose of the discussion was to explore whether free parking had subsequently increased the use of the Council’s car parks and visits to towns within the District. Cllr P Heinrich noted that the Council’s car parking chargers remained low relative to other Districts, and that maintaining current charges would not place any further burden on residents and visitors.

 

vi.          In addition to the substantive recommendations, Cllr N Housden proposed that the Committee should review whether reduced parking fees had provided any benefits for the Council or District. Cllr C Cushing agreed and seconded the proposals.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.     To recommend to Full Council:

 

a) The fees and charges from 1 April 2021 as included in Appendix A.

 

b) That Delegated Authority be given to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and relevant Heads of Service, to agree those fees and charges not included within Appendix A as required as outlined within the report

 

2.      That additional information on parking numbers be provided to determine whether any benefit had been gained from offering limited free parking.

 

Supporting documents: