Issue - meetings
Recommendations from the Executive Cabinet
Meeting: 21/02/2018 - Council (Item 89)
89 Recommendations from the Cabinet 
PDF 123 KB
To consider the recommendations from the meeting(s) of the Cabinet held on 6th December 2017 and 7th February 2018.
Minutes:
Fees and Charges
The recommendations from the Cabinet in relation to the Fees and Charges report were proposed by Councillor B. T. Cooper and seconded by Councillor G. N. Denaro.
In proposing the recommendations Councillor Cooper, as Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, advised Members that the Medium Term Financial Plan had been prepared on the basis that additional income would be generated from fees and charges. He also reminded Members that the report had been deferred at the previous meeting to allow for answers to the questions raised to be given. Members were also given the opportunity to submit further questions and invited to attend the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting on 12th February, at which all Heads of Services were present, to ask further questions. The fees and charges were unchanged from those previously presented.
Following presentation of the report Members discussed the following areas in more detail:
· The increase in charges for the Parkside Suite despite the level of hire being less than at the previous site, despite the Council’s aim to be more commercial. Councillor P. Whittaker, Portfolio Holder Leisure and Cultural Services reminded Members that the reason for this had been well documented and reminded them that at the previous site the Spadesbourne Suite had been independent to the Council Chamber and was therefore more readily available for hire. It was hoped, that following changes to the rooms available this would free up the suite in future.
· The formulation of some sort of strategy which would allow for an operational review of each area rather than looking at the fees and charges as a whole, particularly as in some areas there was the opportunity to be competitive. It was difficult to look at the fees and charges as a whole without having a view of the wider picture.
· The increase in charges for Lifeline and the impact of this on the most vulnerable residents. Councillor Sherrey, Portfolio Holder for Health and Well Being responded advised that this charge had been benched marked and was lower than most. It was appreciated that it impacted on the most vulnerable and each application was considered on its merits and where necessary concessions were granted.
· Cemetery charges for children – concerns were raised in respect of a charge being made for exclusive rights of burial for a child grave space. It was understood that there may need to be a charge for this, but it was suggested that a nominal charge of perhaps £1 would be more appropriate. Councillor Cooper agreed to look into this outside of the meeting.
· Whether an appropriate mechanism could be put in place to ensure that charges were considered individually and that in some cases the Council had the monopoly on the service and therefore residents had no option but to pay.
Councillor Cooper thanked Members for their input.
RESOLVED that all fees and charges that are included within Appendix 1 of the report and which have a proposed increase/decrease for 2018/19 of ... view the full minutes text for item 89