Agenda item

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

The Committee considered the report of the Interim Chief Finance Officer seeking Member approval of the:

·                revised Fees and Charges related to Building Control Services;

·                permit Charge for Public / Commercial use of Council Offices Car Park;

·                expansion of the existing High Street Off-Peak Resident Parking Scheme to the Council Offices.

Members noted the requirement under the Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010 and how following a review it was proposed that the Building Control Fees and Charges increase by 12.3% from 1 July 2023 (as set out in Appendix A to the report).  This increase was in line with other increases in the Council’s fees and charges for 2023 / 24.

Following a review of the Council Offices Car Park to identify any underutilisation of the car parking facilities the Council was able to offer additional car parking permits to partners, with a number having already been purchased.  It was proposed that the balance of available car parking spaces be offered to the public and partners through an annual permit scheme and an expansion of the resident parking scheme.  Details of both schemes were set out in the report.

The Chairperson moved the recommendations as set out in the report and these were duly seconded.

During the lengthy debate that ensued, Members raised a number of questions regarding the proposed changes and in response the Assistant Director provided the following information:

·                Council Offices Car Park Permit Charges:

·                The new policy would enable an income from spaces in the Council offices car park that were currently under-utilised.

·                The new permits would be advertised on the Council’s website and in addition the Council would be targeting specific businesses and contacting local residents to make them aware of the scheme.

·                In reviewing the current requirements of the Council office car park, Officers had ensured that there was sufficient parking for staff.

·                Annual Permit (Council office car park):

·                The proposed cost of an annual permit was reflective of the current charges and there were no additional costs as the spaces were already available and maintained by the Council.

·                The proposed cost was lower than those charged for High Street car parks to acknowledge that they were not as accessible.  Members were advised that the High Street Car park annual permit charge was £716.

·                Expanded Off-Peak Resident Parking Scheme:

·                The proposed changes were an expansion of the existing scheme and would run alongside the current scheme run by South Essex Parking Partnership.

Members were informed that the Council was carrying out a full review of car parking charges as part of its car parking strategy and the new charges would be included within this.

Following a discussion regarding the proposed cost of the annual permit and aligning this with the annual permit charges for the High Street car parks, Councillor A S Fluker proposed that the proposed annual permit at the Council office car park be increased to £625.  This proposal was duly seconded.

In response to a question regarding the revised fees for Building Control Services, Members were advised the Building Control Manager had confirmed that the proposed charges were comparable to similar services within the public sector.

The Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance clarified in response to the proposed amendment from Councillor Fluker that recommendation (ii) should therefore be amended to read “…be approved, noting the amendment to the annual fee fund from £500 to £629”.  The Chairman moved the amendment which was duly agreed.  Councillor W Stamp asked that her vote against the amendment be noted.

The Chairman then put the recommendations, as amended, to the Committee and upon a vote being taken these were duly agreed.  Councillor W Stamp asked that her vote against the recommendations be noted.

RESOLVED

(i)             That the revised Fees for Building Control Services from 22 August 2023 be approved;

(ii)            That the new Charges for permits for use of the Council Offices Car Park from 15 July 2023 be approved, noting the amendment to the annual fee fund from £500 to £629.