Agenda item

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

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) setting out the overarching principles (set out in section 3.2 of the report) through which Discretionary Fees and Charges would be set for 2026 / 27. It was noted that the detailed Fees and Charges would be updated based on these policies and brought forward alongside the budget proposals for 2026 / 27.

The CFO presented his report, advising how it set principles through which the Council would endeavour to set the fees and charges to be applied, and aligned with the budget process. He reminded Members that a large proportion of fees and charges were set nationally. For nationally set fees and charges the Council was required to advertise them and apply the charges in line with national guidance.

The table at paragraph 3.2.1 of the report set out the locally set (‘discretionary’) fees and charges and the factors that needed to be considered in setting charges for the coming year. If agreed the CFO would proceed to work through the exact levels of fees and charges for recommendation to the Council for consideration at its February 2026 meeting.

The Chairperson moved the recommendation set out in the report and this was duly seconded.

In response to questions raised the CFO provided the following information:

·                The CFO was speaking to colleagues across the county regarding the standardisation of fees and charges once the Government had agreed a unitary structure. The Council did not yet know who it would be working with, and the CFO highlighted how it wasn’t just council tax rates which would be different but also tariffs e.g. car parking where Councils had local variants. The important thing at this time was to ensure a transparent process through the current year.

·                In response to a comment regarding the extensive list of fees and charges the CFO highlighted the need to ensure there was a balanced financial position, and the review of fees and charges was part of that. He agreed that it may be appropriate at times to clean through the overall schedule and delete those fees and charges that were no longer appropriate.

·                Use of the word ‘profit’ in reference D related to the view for the public sector to be more commercial in its approach. The commentary for this item highlighted how as a public sector organisation the Council’s principles were non-profit making. However, in response to a suggestion to amend the wording for this item it was agreed that reference D (as set out at section 3.2 of the report) be reworded as follows:

“In principle, fees and charges are generally to be calculated to recover the full cost of the service provided, not to make a surplus or profit. On regular review this may result in some charges going down or some charges being removed altogether. Some cross subsidy may occur between charges levied in the same service area, but the overall objective is to support the cost of discretionary services not to secure a commercial profit”.

The Chairperson put the recommendation, subject to the amendment to reference D (as detailed above). This was duly seconded and agreed.

RESOLVED that the overarching principles for discretionary Fees and Charges policies (as detailed below) be approved: