Agenda item

To review the Council’s Fees and Charges for 2023/24, in line with the Budget Strategy considered by Cabinet on 12 December 2022.

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Members considered the Review of Fees and Charges 2023/24 report presented by Councillor Boden.

Members made comments, asked questions, and received responses as follows:

1.    Councillor Purser said he is asked on a regular basis if it can be guaranteed that car parking will remain free in the district. Councillor Boden said it is ever possible that central government can force us to charge in the future and we cannot change that, but in the meantime there will be an election taking place in four months’ time and this will be a decision for the new administration. Overwhelmingly, most councils charge for car parking, and they make a nice surplus from it and use it to subsidise the rest of their operations. However, as long as Councillor Boden remains Leader of the Council, there will be no charges for car parking unless forced by central government.

2.    Councillor Booth said that is the policy of this council, but we are getting to a situation where it is not the only thing we need to do. We need to come up with a better offering to keep our market towns viable. Ultimately we need better shops and services.

3.    Councillor Boden said that generally the amount of money needed for changes are considerable and we are depending on opportunities provided to us by the Combined Authority. We have the current March High Street funding works for example. He cannot give a definitive answer, however, to the future of the High Street. Experts are currently saying that people are now requiring experiences. As a council we do need to be aware of the need for flexibility within our high streets and to allow them to change, we have to facilitate that change even if it is for something we do not want to see ourselves.

4.    Councillor Mason asked if there is a large demand for room hire at the Boat House and South Fens. Councillor Boden responded that there is significant demand, but we have to be aware of the competitive position and so we have applied a general inflationary increase. We could increase it by more but do not want to create problems for current tenants. It is not just a matter of maximising council income but the impact on the very businesses we are trying to support. Councillor Mason suggested a decrease could attract more tenants. 

5.    Councillor Booth referred to the proposed changes at Section 3.2 of the report on mini-factories, South Fens Business Centre and the Boathouse and said there had been discussion in the past that these should be considered as breeder units. He asked if that had been fully considered, particularly if we are increasing some of the fees by about 40%. He asked if we are satisfied it will drive the right outcomes we are looking for as it is not always about occupancy but rather about getting those business set up so they can move on to other areas when they find the facilities. Councillor Boden said it is important to have realistic charges in terms of the costs that we incur but we do consult with officers to get their opinions.

6.    Mark Saunders replied that all services review their services and make their proposals based on ensuring costs are covered. Rates are examined to ensure they are competitive and set between a minimum and maximum to give negotiating room with tenants. Councillor Boden emphasised that new rents will not apply until existing tenancy arrangements expire. Peter Catchpole added that we have had a new Head of Property for about a year who has helped make a big difference, he has done a lot of work with qualified surveyors, and we have seen the occupancy rates rise which tells us we have done the right thing and we have already driven up income in those areas. He signs off all the new leases that come through and sees the amount of work that goes in behind them. Councillor Boden added that our Head of Property has certainly proved his worth.

7.    Councillor Mason asked if there had been any thoughts about hiring out the facilities at Fenland Hall. Councillor Boden said that we do not offer the Council Chamber for functions currently but that can be considered as part of the accommodation review. Any out of hours usage would incur additional staff costs and there would be confidentiality and security risks which would need to be assessed. He doubts that hiring out the Chamber would provide any significant outturn.

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel AGREED to recommend to Cabinet that the Fees and Charges be included in the final budget proposals for 2023/24.