Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Central Services presented a report on the proposed fees and charges for Council services, the majority of which were proposed to come into effect from 1 January 2016.

The Cabinet Member advised that all fees and charges were assessed against the Council’s Charging Policy framework and, in most cases, were to be subject to only a small increase to reflect the current low rate of inflation.  Some charges were to be frozen in order to remain affordable and competitive, while others were to be subject to larger increases to bring them into line with comparable services and/or to assist in achieving a 100% direct cost recovery position over a period of time, such as the new charging regime for Eastbury Manor House.

Members discussed a number of issues which included:

·  Barking Market – The proposed increase of 2% for cash payments made to the Council would be subject to a 28-day statutory consultation with those affected, as would many of the proposed increases throughout the schedule.  The Leader also advised on the ongoing consultation with Barking Market traders on the contribution that the market may have as part of the regeneration plans for Barking Town Centre.

·  Over 60’s Leisure Offer – It was confirmed that although not included in the schedule, the fee would remain at the equivalent rate of £1 per week.

·  Bulky Waste – The Cabinet Member for Environment undertook to ensure that the charges currently displayed on the Council’s website were updated accordingly.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Social Care suggested that, in future, the Cabinet should review the annual fees and charges earlier in the year to enable full consideration to be given to the schedule.  The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health felt, however, that individual Cabinet Members should continue to be responsible for the detailed review of fees and charges within their respective portfolios and, therefore, any comments that other Cabinet Members may have should be fed through that route.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree the proposed fees and charges as set out in Appendix A to the report, to be effective from 1 January 2016 unless otherwise stated;

(ii)  Note the fees and charges no longer applicable from 1 January 2016, as set out in Appendix B to the report; and

(iv)  Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Finance and Investment and the Cabinet Members for Finance and Education and Schools, regarding the setting of fees and charges which are applied from September for schools and academic year-based activities.