Agenda item

This report seeks approval for proposed fees and charges for 2024/25 in respect of Community and Environmental Services, Corporate and Customer Services and Regulatory Services.

The Director of Resources introduced a report which sought approval for proposed fees and charges for 2024/25 in respect of Community and Environmental Services, Corporate and Customer Services and Regulatory Services.

The Committee was asked to consider an annual review of the fees and charges for services provided across the Council. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 4.0% in December 2023, the last figures available at the time of writing the report.

It was noted that in recent years fees and charges had been increased, in general, by an amount that slightly exceeded inflation rates at the time. Charging above the current rate of inflation would generate higher levels of income in real terms and would assist in balancing the budget for 2024/25 given the significant inflationary increases on Council spending. It was also noted that increases higher than the current level of inflation may not be acceptable to the public due to the cost-of-living crisis and might result in customer resistance, leading to potential loss of income.

Appendices 1 -13 contained schedules of the existing and recommended charges.

It was moved by Councillor Steve Flitter, seconded by Councillor Simon Ripton and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.    That the fees and charges recommended in Appendices 1 – 13 of the report are approved and implemented with effect from 1 April 2024, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

2.    That the proposed charge for the interment in any grave of the body of a child whose age at the time of death exceeded one month but did not exceed 16 years, as listed in Appendix 3, page 42, section b, be reduced from £141.00 to £0.00.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.