Agenda item

Agenda Item 10 – Fees and Charges Schedule 2024 / 25

Recommended that that the detailed Fees and Charges Schedule for 2024 / 25 as set out in APPENDIX 1 to this Agenda, be agreed, subject to the Council’s approval of the Fees and Charges Policy on 29 November 2023.

The Council considered the recommendation set out on the agenda coming forward for consideration from the Strategy and Resources Committee.

Agenda Item 10 – Fees and Charges Schedule 2024 / 25

Prior to discussing this item of business, the Interim Chief Finance Officer advised that the Fees and Charges Schedule 2024 / 25 (the Schedule) had been updated to reflect the Council’s previous decision to apply a 50% discount to wharf fees and charges. She reported that open spaces memorial benches had been deleted from the Schedule as the Council had made a decision to not include it.  In respect of Green Waste Charges Members were advised that this should be £35 (the pro-rata fee of the £70 full year cost).  The Interim Chief Finance Officer asked Members to therefore agree the Schedule as put forward by the Strategy and Resources Committee, subject to the amendment she had detailed.

Councillor A S Fluker commented on the Schedule particularly in relation to pest control and green waste.  He proposed that in relation to green bins there not be any increase.  This proposal was not seconded.

Councillor Fluker then raised questions in relation to the beach huts and car parking season tickets for the Hythe Quay, Town Centre residents car parking season tickets and Sports pitches.  In response the Chairperson reminded Members that the proposed Schedule had come through the Strategy and Resources Committee (S&R) and the Council needed to approve so that Officers could action them.  The Chairperson suggested that with the exception of the points raised by Councillor Fluker that the fees and charges Schedule be approved.  Councillor Fluker suggested that the Chairperson along with the Chairperson of the S&R with the appropriate Director consider responses to his questions.

Councillor M F L Durham, Chairperson of S&R, advised the Council of the robust debate that had taken place at S&R on this item of business, prior to the Committee making its recommendation to the Council.

Other Members debated the Strategy and comments were raised relating to the increase in the cost of waste disposal, the benefits of the green waste service offered by the Council compared to other Local Authorities and child obesity in the District.  In response to a question, the Director of Service Delivery advised that there would be a formal review of car parking charges in the new year.  The Car Parking Working Group would discuss this along with the Car Parking Strategy and these discussions would include the Hythe Quay.  In response to a question, Members were advised that the Council offered clothing recycling via kerbside collection.

The Chairperson put to the Council that the detailed Fees and Charges Schedule for 2024 / 25 as set out in Appendix 1 to the Agenda with the amendment detailed by the Interim Chief Finance Officer, be agreed, subject to the Council’s approval of the Fees and Charges Policy on 29 November 2023.  This was duly seconded.

At this point Councillor A S Fluker requested a recorded vote.  The Chairperson asked if any other Members did not assent and asked that Councillors A S Fluker, W Stamp and J C Stilts did not assent.  He then put the proposal which was agreed.

RESOLVED that that the detailed Fees and Charges Schedule for 2024 / 25 as set out in Appendix 1 to the Agenda with the amendment detailed by the Interim Chief Finance Officer, be agreed, subject to the Council’s approval of the Fees and Charges Policy on 29 November 2023.

Post meeting note:

The following lines on the Fees and Charges Schedule for 2024 / 25 were incorrect (however the principle of what was agreed by the Council for inflationary uplift remains).  The corrections below will be reflected in the published version of the Fees and Charges Schedule for 2024 / 25:

Council offices car park

Weekdays - up to 1 hour – 2024 / 25 charge should be £1.30 (was stated as £1.40)

Weekends – Saturday (8am to 5pm) up to 1 hour – 2024 / 25 charge should be £1.30 (was stated as £1.40)

Weekends – Saturday (8am to 5pm) 2 to 3 hours – 2024 / 25 charge should be £2.40 (was stated as £2.50)

High St East Car park

Weekdays and Saturday Evening (5pm to 10pm) – 2023 / 24 charge was incorrectly stated as £1.50 but is actually £1.70

Sunday All Day and Bank Holidays – 2023 / 24 charge was incorrectly stated as £1.50 but is actually £1.70

White Horse Lane Car park (Monday to Saturday, 8am to 5pm)

Pay & Display 1-2 hours – 2023 / 24 charge was incorrectly stated as £1.50 but is actually £1.60, 2024 / 25 charge should be £1.80 (was stated as £1.70)

Season tickets

Prom season ticket was stated as £769 should be £788 for 2024 / 25

Prom resident ticket was stated as £159 should be £162 for 2024 / 25

White Horse lane school residents permit was stated as £265 should be £271 for 2024 / 25