Issue - meetings

To consider the proposed fees and charges for 2013/14 for the Council’s chargeable services.

(Report attached)

The Committee received the proposed Fees and Charges for the Council’s chargeable services for the coming year. It was explained that Heads of Service had aimed to achieve a three percent increase in income over their range of services.

A Member questioned the cost of the hire of the Abbey Stadium Swimming Pool for local first schools, noting that they were aware of at least one school which used a pool further afield. This was set against the backdrop of the provision of free swimming for under 16s and over 60s. Officers undertook to investigate this matter, adding that there could be a range of factors other than costs which had led the school to this course of action. It was added that the free swimming had seen a very considerable uptake in the year to date with around 6,000 individuals taking advantage thus far.

A further question was asked about hire products on page 53 and the apparently high cost of having an alarm. Again, Officers undertook to establish the reasons for the present charging level and report this back to Members.

The Committee noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had reviewed the Fees and Charges the previous week and were content to endorse the comments made by that body.

RECOMMENDED that

that the fees and charges for 2013/14 as set out in Appendix A - H to the report be approved; other than in cases where:-

a)         fees or charges are statutory,

b)                 fees and charges are set externally, or

c)         other Council- approved circumstances apply; and

RESOLVED that

the comments of the Overview of the Scrutiny Committee be noted.