Issue - meetings

Minute 601 refers.

RESOLVED – that (A) the comments of the Joint Scrutiny Committees of 17 January 2012, be received; and

(B)      the increases in fees and charges as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be approved.

The Executive Member for Finance submitted a report setting out proposed fees and charges for 2012/13.  The joint meeting of Scrutiny Committees, at their meeting held on 17 January 2012, had supported the proposals now detailed.

Members were reminded of the decision taken at the previous meeting in respect of car parking charges.

The Executive commended the proposals as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the comments of the Joint Scrutiny Committees of 17 January 2012, be received; and

(B)      the increases in fees and charges as detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be approved.

The Executive Member for Finance submitted a report detailing the additional income to the Council that could be generated by increasing discretionary fees and charges in 2012/13 for a variety of services.  Members were referred to Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ for the detailed suggested increased to discretionary fees and charges.

The Director of Internal Services referred in particular to the proposal to activate two Council Tax penalties which could be levied on residents who failed to promptly notify the Council of changes to their circumstances.  It was hoped that the threat of the penalties would result in residents remembering to inform the Council of such changes.

In response to a Member query, the Joint Scrutiny Committees were advised that Officers had the discretion to vary the hire charges in place for Hertford Theatre.

Councillor M Newman commented on the licensing costs for dangerous wild animals.

Councillor C Woodward suggested that the introduction of car park charging arrangements for Grange Paddocks should be deferred until September 2012 in line with the decision already made to delay changing the car parking fees across the District until September to enable consideration of the results of the parking strategy.  The Director of Customer and Community Services stated that parking charges for Grange Paddocks were included in the Medium Term Financial Plan.  Members were also reminded that the car park had been refurbished and there was also an advanced proposal for a permit scheme for Chantry Road residents.

Councillor C Woodward proposed and Councillor J Wyllie seconded, a motion that parking charges at Grange Paddocks be deferred until September so that consideration could be given to the results of the parking strategy.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared LOST.

The Committees decided to inform the Executive that the fees and charges should be approved as detailed in the report now submitted.

RESOLVED – that the Executive be informed that the Joint Scrutiny Committees consider that the fees and charges detailed in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report now submitted, should be approved.