Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Resources.

Councillors Stewart Healy and Wayne Hodgins declared an interest in this item and remained in the meeting whilst it was considered.

Members considered the report of the Chief Officer Resources.

The Chief Officer Resources spoke to the report and advised that:

-      The current Fees and Charges register had been reviewed to:

-      Ensure all fees & charges included on the register were relevant for 2022/2023.

-      Reflect changes in local and national policy and charges.

-      Reflect the assumptions included within the Medium Term Financial Strategy, where appropriate.

-      The register included charges which had received:

-       An inflationary uplift of 2% per annum as included agreed in the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

-      No fee increases

-      Fees and charges that were proposed to be increased by more than 2%.

-      The proposed fees for Licensing would be considered by the Licensing Committee and had been included in the Register for completeness. It was proposed to maintain the fees at 2021/2022 level based on the National framework full cost model.

-      Social Services (variable) – These fees were currently under negotiation with Providers to reflect the appropriate increase to cover the additional cost of the Real Living Wage, increase in NI Contributions, energy costs etc.  However, the delay in receiving the full guidance on the implementation of the real living wage had created difficulty with these negotiations.   Therefore, it was proposed that delegated power be granted to the Corporate Director of Social Services to set these fees and charges for 2022/2023.

-      The fees and charges for Aneurin Leisure Trust were attached for core services for 2022/23 to be approved by Council in-line with funding and management agreement.  The proposed increase to the majority of fees was around 3% however, a number of fees had reduced by up to 30% and a number had increased by up to 36% which was due to standardising the junior and concession rates across the business as a set percentage of the standard fee to improve the consistency moving forward.

The Leader of the Council proposed that the report be endorsed subject to the following amendments:

-      An increase of 10% on School Meals would not be applied.  The cost would remain at current 2021/2022 prices.

-      The price of Meals on Wheels would not increase and the cost would be retained at 2021/2022 prices.

A Member said that at the time when the wellbeing of children was paramount, a number of the uplifts to charges proposed by Aneurin Leisure Trust would cause a barrier for children, young people and the community to participate in sports and activities.  He was unable to condone an increase of these magnitudes and felt that the percentage increase was disproportionate when efforts were being made to encourage young people to participate in sports and said that these increases should in line with inflation only.  The charges referred to related to:

-      Junior Swim – 17.4% increase

-      Concessionary Junior Swim – 16.11% increase

-      Lifestyle Studio – Concessionary Junior – 30.77% increase   

The Leader of the Council said that leisure was traditionally a fragile budget and said he was unsure as to what the potential impact of not agreeing the proposed charges may have on projected revenue streams.

The Member proposed that discussions take place with Aneurin Leisure Trust to explain that the percentage increases were disproportionate and would cause barriers for children and young people to participate in sports and activities and a request made that due consideration be given to a percentage increase in line with inflation.

The Corporate Director of Education clarified that as part of the budget process Aneurin Leisure Trust undertook a benchmarking exercise of their proposed fees and charges with neighbouring authorities for similar activities.  Whilst he did not have the information available as to what impact any downward adjustments would have on the Trust’s budget in terms of income streams, it would have an impact on income generation but undertook to hold discussions with the Trust regarding the concerns that had been raised.

In reply to request, the Corporate Director of Education confirmed that Aneurin Leisure Trust proposed fees and charges could be considered by the Scrutiny Committee in future to obtain the views of Members prior to the information being reported to Full Council.

A discussion ensued when it proposed that the report be accepted pending a discussion between the Corporate Director of Education and Aneurin Leisure Trust regarding their proposed levels of fees and charges.  This proposal was seconded.

RESOLVED accordingly.

It was, thereupon, unanimously

FURTHER RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing amendments, that the report be accepted and Option 1 be endorsed, namely:

-      The register of Fees & Charges for 2022/2023 attached at Appendix 1, and the core price increases relating to Aneurin Leisure Trust attached at Appendix 2 be approved.

-      Delegated power and responsibility be granted to the Director of Social Services for setting the fees and charges for 2022/2023 relating to the provision of external social care.