Decision details

The Service Director of Finance and Improvement Services set out:

·       The proposed revisions to Council fees and charges levels for the 2024/25 financial year to be consulted on as part of phase 2 of the 2024/25 budget consultation process (with the proposed revisions to be effective from 1^st April 2024 or as soon as is practicable thereafter);

·       Details of fees and charges decisions previously approved and to be included in the 2024/25 proposed Budget Strategy; and 

·       A proposed update to the Council’s Street Trade License Scheme and proposed arrangements around the implementation of future changes to the maximum level of weekly charge for non-residential care services, as determined by Welsh Government.

The Leader thanked the Service Director for the report and commented that the proposed fees and charges detailed before the Committee were relatively fair. The Leader explained that in some areas, they had sought to ensure the full cost was not passed on. As an example, the Leader noted that the approximate 14% general increase in food costs would see the current cost of school dinners increase by around 30-35p, but the proposed increase was 15p. In respect of car parking costs, the Leader advised that there had been lobbying from the public for the Council to introduce card payments, but in order to balance the cost of the new offer, a small increase of 10p had been proposed. In relation the proposed 25p Lido booking fee, the Leader advised that with each booking, there is a transactional fee for the Council but when thousands of individuals book and fail to attend, the Council were incurring a charge. The Leader advised that the 25p fee would offset the charge going forward.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Corporate Services was pleased to note that 82.3% of respondents to phase one of the consultation were in agreement with the approach the Council takes to introducing fees. The Cabinet Member was pleased with the balanced approach to fees and charges, which she was of the view, took into consideration the financial situation of residents.  

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1. To consider proposed revisions to Council fees and charges for the 2024/25 financial year along with new proposed charges;

2.    For the fees and charges proposals (as set out at paragraphs 5.3.1 to 5.3.21 of the report) to be consulted on through phase 2 of the Council’s 2024/25 Budget Consultation process and reported back to Cabinet for consideration as part of formulating a recommended Budget Strategy for 2024/25;

3.    To note the fees and charges decisions previously approved and to be included in the 2024/25 proposed Budget Strategy (paragraph 5.10 / Table 2 of the report);

4.    To note the proposed update to the Council’s Street Trade License Scheme to be considered by the Council’s Licensing Committee on 30^th January 2024 and, subject to the Committee’s approval, for the estimated additional income generated to be incorporated within the Council’s proposed 2024/25 Revenue Budget Strategy; and

5.    To note Welsh Government’s responsibility in setting the maximum level of weekly charge for non-residential care services and approve that future revisions to maximum weekly charge levels are implemented by the Council in line with Welsh Government guidance.