Council and councillors

KEY DECISION

04/2020

Cabinet recommended to Council:

1.  To approve the level of fees and charges for 2020/21 as set out in Appendices 1-4 of the report with the exception of taxi and private hire vehicle licenses and Residential Home Care rates.

2.  To note that taxi and private hire vehicle licenses fees will be subject to change based on the outcome of forthcoming consultation through a public notice procedure and be brought back for approval following that consultation.

3.  To note that weekly Residential Home Care rates are subject to a separate report.

Report No.04/2020 was received from the Strategic Director for Resources. Councillor Brown, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, introduced the report the purpose of which was to set out the proposals for fees and charges for services provided by the Council for the financial year 2020/21.

During discussion the following points were noted:

·         Taxi and licence fees would be subject to a specific consultation and brought back to Cabinet separately.

·         Care home fees were also subject to a separate report.

·         The report covered a wide number of services and included fees which were statutory and set at a national level, and others where the Council had some discretion.

·         Where costs related to staff time, fees had increased by 4.5% and in some areas, fees had been increased in line with neighbouring councils’ levels.

DECISIONS:

Cabinet RECOMMENDED to Council:

1.  To APPROVE the level of fees and charges for 2020/21 as set out in Appendices 1-4 of the report with the exception of taxi and private hire vehicle licenses and Residential Home Care rates.

2.  To NOTE that taxi and private hire vehicle licenses fees will be subject to change based on the outcome of forthcoming consultation through a public notice procedure and be brought back for approval following that consultation.

3.  To NOTE that weekly Residential Home Care rates are subject to a separate report.

Reasons for the decision

The annual review of fees and charges is an integral part of the budget and council tax setting process and is also to ensure the Council is compliant with legislative guidance.  It is therefore recommended that Cabinet approve the proposals set out in the document.