Issue - meetings

Health and Housing Fees and Charges 2011/12

 

 

Meeting: 18/01/2011 - Cabinet (Item 93)

93 Health and Housing Fees and Charges 2011/12 pdf icon PDF 181 KB

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Kerr)

 

Report of the Head of Health & Housing Services

Minutes:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Kerr)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Health and Housing Services which had been prepared as part of the 2011/12 estimate procedure and set out the 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 the increase in fees as recommended in the report

Option 2

To approve a different percentage 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 potentially allows for a greater increase in revenue if an increase of greater than 2.4% is approved.

This option would mean no price increases for customers.

Disadvantages

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

An increase in fees above the recommended amount is likely to prove 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.

 

The officer preferred option is Option 1.  This option allows for increased revenue whilst retaining fees at affordable and competitive levels.

 

Councillor Kerr proposed, seconded by Councillor Ashworth:-

 

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

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1)               That the Health & Strategic Housing fees in Appendix 1 of the report be increased by 2.40% (inflation) subject to deciding pest control fees as per recommendations 2, 3 and 4.

 

(2)               That the current fees for rodent and insect treatments and hourly pest control rates be increased by 10% as set out in Appendix 1, retaining 50% discounts in qualifying cases (fleas, rats) for those in receipt of Council Tax and/or Housing Benefit.

 

(3)               That charges are introduced at the standard rodent/insect treatment rate for advisory visits together with chargeable cases where, upon visiting, pest control officers are not in a position to provide or complete treatments.

 

(4)               That a charge is introduced for bed bug treatments at the standard insect treatment rate plus a new domestic hourly rate for every subsequent complete or part hour required to finish a treatment, with 50% discounts in qualifying cases for those in receipt of Council Tax and/or Housing Benefit.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93