Decision details

To seek Cabinet Members approval for Fees and Charges for services provided by Public Protection for financial year 2025/26.

Decision(s):

Reason(s) for the Decision(s):

The decision is required in order to allow for the setting of fees and charges for financial year 2025/26. Each year these fees and charges are reviewed to consider any revisions

The rate of CPI for November had been used in consideration of any increases to fees and charges and for 2024 this was 2.60%. The fees and charges shown below have generally been increased by 2.60% with some rounding-up or rounding-down to ensure ease of payment and processing.         

The majority of charges are directed towards businesses. It is proposed that the current free pest control service for residents who are in receipt of Council Tax reduction scheme benefit, which acts a proxy for other benefits, will be retained. These are shown below as Table 1 – Proposed Increases

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

The fees and charges could be kept at current levels, but this has been rejected as this could result in failure to cover the cost of delivering some chargeable services, reduce income and the consequent impact upon the budget position. Fees and Charges could also be increased at a rate above inflation, but this has again been rejected as it would be unhelpful to people struggling financially at the present time.