Decision details

Health and Housing Fees & Charges 2012/13

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The report will set out options for increasing fees and charges for a range of services in Health & Housing as part of the budget process.

Decisions:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Leytham)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Health & Housing which had been prepared as part of the 2012/13 estimate procedure and set out options for increasing the level of fees and charges.

 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

 

 

Option 1

To approve an inflationary increase of 2.6% in fees.

Option 2

To approve a 5% increase.

Option 3

To do nothing and retain the existing fees and charges.

Advantages

This option allows for increased fee revenue whilst retaining fees at competitive levels.

 

The increase in pest control fees reduces the council’s subsidy of this service by a substantial amount whilst retaining pest control fees affordable compared to some private sector providers.

 

This option allows for a greater increase in revenue..

This option would mean no price increases for customers.

Disadvantages

 

Any increase in fees is likely to be unpopular with customers.

 

No opportunity to raise additional revenue through fees and charges.

Risks

There is always a risk that customers will choose not to access services if fees are too high.

 

However, evidence gathered shows core fees and charges are comparable to other nearby local authorities.

There is always a risk that customers will choose not to access services if fees are too high.

 

There is a risk that even current income levels will fail to be achieved if fees are perceived to be too high.

 

This option increases the difficulties of securing a viable budget at a time when additional income and savings are required.

 

There was no officer preferred option.

Councillor Leytham proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

 

“(1)      That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1)        That the Environmental Health & Private Sector Housing fees in Appendix 1 to the report be increased by 5%.

 

(2)        That the 50% discounts in qualifying cases (fleas, bedbugs, rodents) for those in receipt of Council Tax and/or Housing Benefit is retained.

 

(3)        That the fees and charges for the Neptune Baby and Young Child Memorial Garden are not increased for 2012/13.

 

(4)        That last years approved reduction of 50% for the lease of memorial plaques in the Neptune Baby area is retained for this and future years and forms the base fee for any proposed increases.

 

(5)        That a new fee of £80.00 (plus vat) be introduced for drain camera surveys as detailed in the report.

 

 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Head of Health & Housing

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

Fees and charges form an integral part of the budget setting process, which in turn relates to the Council's priorities.  Large increases in fees can disadvantage those residents least able to pay. However any of the proposed increases are considered to be fair and reasonable and in the case of pest control fees are less expensive or equal to that charged by most commercial companies.

Report author: Mary Toder

Publication date: 25/01/2012

Date of decision: 17/01/2012

Decided at meeting: 17/01/2012 - Cabinet

Effective from: 28/01/2012

Accompanying Documents: