Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Interim Chief Finance Officer (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Interim Chief Finance Officer reviewing the proposed 2025 / 26 fees and charges set at the discretion of the Council and forecast to generate greater than £2,000 each. Those fees and charges anticipated to forecast less than £2,000 were also detailed and it was noted that these were reviewed and set by the Interim Chief Finance Officer under delegated powers.

The proposed fees and charges for 2025 / 26 were set out in Appendix A to the report and based on the Fees and Charges Policy report recommended by this Committee (on 26 September 2024) to the Council for approval. Appendix B provided a summary of the proposed changes and further detail on the proposed car park changes recommended by the Car Park Task and Finish Group were set out in Appendix C.

During the lengthy debate that followed a number of Members commented on the proposed introduction of car parking charges in Burnham-on-Crouch. In response to concerns raised regarding the new charge, the Assistant Director – Customer Services and Operations advised that the business case and costs had been considered by the Car Parking Task and Finish Working Group, including the machine set up costs and enforcement which would be part of the Community Officer Engagement workplan. There were a number of concern raised, particularly that introduction of car parking charges in Burnham-on-Crouch would result an increase of parking on the local roads, how the Council would achieve the income suggested and there having been no consultation on the proposed change.

In response to further questions that arose during the debate the following information was provided by the Assistant Director:

·                Burnham-on-Crouch pontoon mooring fees - Members were advised that the proposed mooring fee charge was £1,000 per year and only licensed vessels would be able to use the pontoon. In response to a question raised by Councillor R Pratt regarding the expected costs relating to the pontoon it was agreed that Officers would provide this information outside of the meeting.

·                Charges for Right to Place Monument (Plaque on a bench) / Organised Bootcamps / Personal Training in Council-owned Parks – It was confirmed that these were the continuation of a previous charge.

Councillor N L Spenceley raised a question regarding the new charge for ‘unauthorised distribution of free literature’ seeking clarification of what ‘designated land’ referred to. In response the Director of Service Delivery advised that he would provide a written response outside of the meeting.

Councillor W Stamp referred to the proposed new charging for car parking in Burnham-on-Crouch and how if introduced it would affect the economy and tourism of the Town. She requested that Officers provide her with a written response outside of the meeting detailing how much the Council had invested in Maldon compared to Burnham-on-Crouch. In response the Director of Service Delivery advised that proportionally Maldon had more assets that Burnham-on-Crouch but Officers could review capital and revenue expenditure over the last five years and provide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 413