Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director of Finance and Resources

Recommendations

That Cabinet is recommended to:

1. Approve the changes to fees and charges as outlined in Appendix 2 of

    this report.

2. Approve that authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Finance

    and Resources, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, to

    approve any changes required in light of consultation feedback.

3. Note the fees for which no increase is proposed for 2023/24. Details of

    these fees are included in Appendix 2 of this report.

4. Approve the Fees and Charges Policy at Appendix 1.

Fees and Charges Review

Report of the Executive Director for Finance and Resources

Councillor Boothroyd told Cabinet that this is an omnibus report that presents the recommended fees and charges for a wide range of council services for the following year (2023). 

Cabinet heard that the income provided through fees and charges revenue is considerably more than that raised through Council Tax and in some instances sees the Council in competition with other service providers therefore thought needs to be given when setting fees and charges to ensure they provide an optimum income while not excluding residents from accessing services. This is a particular concern this year as inflationary pressures are forcing some fees up but were possible the Council wants to keep fees for healthy activities down in light of the cost-of-living crisis.

Councillor Hug invited Gerald Almeroth, Executive Director for Finance and Resources to comment on the report.

Gerald explained to Cabinet that cost increases have been based on the September CPI figure (10.1%). On average, the fees which the council has disretion to set have increased by 6%, though some have been set below that because of policy considerations or where the fees aren’t related to fee recovery. 

Councillor Hug invited comment from Cabinet.

Councillor Barraclough told Cabinet that fees for planning applications and building control services are going up quite sharply. Cabinet heard that this increase is due to the significant fall in the level of major planning applications received by the Council and while minor applications are running at a high level it is those fees levied against major planning applications that help maintain planning staff.

In order to maintain a good service, fees for major applications will increase, this still represents good value for money when you consider the benefit of building in Westminster and the associated land values. The increased fees will be similar to those charged by other inner London authorities like the City of London Corporation and Camden Council. Planning fees in Westminster have not been increased for some years  and Councillor Barraclough sought to assure Cabinet that we maintain a good service for the money that we charge

RESOLVED:CABINET APPROVED THE RECOMMENDATIONS SET OUT IN SECTION 2, PAGE 112