Agenda item

*RESOLVED-

(1)         That the charges set out in Appendix A to the report be approved and introduced for the financial year 2015-16.

(2)         That the Environmental Services Manager, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment, be authorised to revise the approved Fees and Charges where threats to income generation emerge and/or opportunities to raise additional income arise, in line with the Council’s general principles for charging.   

The Environmental Services Manager submitted a report recommending for approval the proposed fees and charges for Outdoor Recreation facilities to take effect from 1 April, 2015.

The fees and charges proposals had taken into account:

-       The need for the Council to achieve a balanced budget.

-       The fees and charges structures of other local public and private sector providers.

-       The current condition of the facilities.

-       Value for money considerations.

-       Health inequalities.

The options of leaving the charges unchanged or introducing lower increases were ruled out as the proposed increases in the charges were required to deliver a balanced and sustainable budget. An option of introducing a significantly greater increase in the charges was ruled out as there would have been a risk in terms of deterring potential customers.

Councillor Russell requested that his vote against the recommendation at paragraph 5.1 of the report be record.

*RESOLVED-

(1)         That the charges set out in Appendix A to the report be approved and introduced for the financial year 2015-16.

(2)         That the Environmental Services Manager, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment, be authorised to revise the approved Fees and Charges where threats to income generation emerge and/or opportunities to raise additional income arise, in line with the Council’s general principles for charging.   

REASONS FOR DECISIONS

To set the Council’s fees and charges for Outdoor Recreation with effect from 1 April 2015.

To contribute to improving the Council’s overall financial position and reduce the overall cost of recreation provision by the Council.