Agenda item - Fees and Charges 2021/22

Joint report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture, Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law (Monitoring Officer), Interim Executive Director for Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities

1)             That the Committee approves the proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 as set out within the report and its appendices.

2)             That Committee delegates authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Culture (in relation to paragraphs 3.4 - 3.22), the Executive Director of Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities (in relation to paragraphs 3.23 - 3.26) and to the Executive Lead Officer – Strategy, Governance & Law (in relation to paragraphs 3.27 – 3.33) to change fees and charges as notified and set by central Government during the year.

65.1      The Committee considered a joint report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture, the Interim Executive Director, Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities and the Executive Lead Officer, Strategy, Governance & Law that set out the proposed 2021/22 fees and charges for the service areas covered by the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee in accordance with corporate regulations and policy.

65.2      Councillor Wares stated that whilst he welcomed the levelling in some charges such as monthly parking permits and traders’ fees, Councillor Wares stated that the Conservative Group could not support the widespread and in places, significant rises in fees and charges and would be voting against the recommendations. Councillor Wares highlighted the rises in Bereavement service charges as particularly insensitive at the current time.

65.3      Councillor Williams stated that now was not the time to be increasing parking charges as people shouldn’t be penalised for wanting to be safe in a pandemic and therefore avoiding public transport.

65.4      Councillor Brown agreed that parking charges should not be increased as people may avoid public transport for some time and businesses needed as much support as possible when they eventually re-opened. Councillor Brown indicated several significant increases in fees and charges and explained that this meant she could not support the report recommendations.

65.5      Councillor Appich stated that the rises in fees and charges were unacceptable in a pandemic and increasing parking charges would further hinder the visitor economy. Councillor Appich stated that whilst the Labour Group opposed the increases, the matter would be better dealt with at Budget Council rather than in a piecemeal fashion and therefore, the Labour Group would be abstaining on the report recommendations.  

65.6      Councillor Wilkinson concurred with the comments made by Councillor Appich adding that continually seeking to increase parking charges in the name of sustainable transport was not a long-term strategy.

65.7      RESOLVED-

1)             That the Committee approves the proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 as set out within the report and its appendices.

2)             That Committee delegates authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Culture (in relation to paragraphs 3.4 - 3.22), the Executive Director of Housing, Neighbourhoods & Communities (in relation to paragraphs 3.23 - 3.26) and to the Executive Lead Officer – Strategy, Governance & Law (in relation to paragraphs 3.27 – 3.33) to change fees and charges as notified and set by central Government during the year.