Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

It was resolved to approve the schedule of fees and charges for 2019/20 as outlined in the booklet appended to the report with the exception of charges for school meals which are the subject of consultation until the end of December, 2018.

The report of the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer incorporating a schedule of revised fees and charges for 2019/20 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Finance reported that due to the current difficult financial situation, the Executive is being asked to approve early implementation of many of the revised fees and charges set out in the schedule appended to the report. Whereas traditionally, changes to fees and charges are implemented from 1 April in the new financial year, it is proposed that where possible implementation be brought forward to 1 February as part of a number of measures which are needed to respond to the financial situation. The fees and charges schedule highlights which changes are effective from 1 February, 2019, those which are effective from 1 April, 2019 (mostly where the increases are prescribed by statute) and those which are effective from September, 2019 (relating to schools). Income budgets for non-statutory fees and charges for 2019/20 have been increased by an average of 3% across each individual service. This has allowed Service Heads to increase individual fees by more or less than 3% but with the expectation that overall, services will be required to meet their budgeted income target.

The Portfolio Member drew attention to the fact that charges for school meals are currently the subject of a consultation which is due to close at the end of this month; consequently these will need to be confirmed at a later date.

In light of the above, the Executive was agreed that charges for school meals should not therefore be part of its determination and that the decision should reflect this exemption.

It was resolved to approve the schedule of fees and charges for 2019/20 as outlined in the booklet appended to the report with the exception of charges for school meals which are the subject of consultation until the end of December, 2018.