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ITEM EX22

EXECUTIVE - 10 DECEMBER 2002

REVIEW OF CHARGES

Report by Director of Business Support & County Treasurer

Introduction

  1. The Executive adopted the Corporate Charging Policy on 1 October 2002. The Policy emerged from a Charging Policies Best Value Review, which was considered initially by the Best Value Committee on 27 March 2002 and thereafter by the Scrutiny Committees. It was resubmitted via the Best Value Committee on 11 September 2002.

  2. Both the Audit Commission and the Government have emphasised the importance to local government finance of the ability of local authorities to charge for a number of the services that they carry out. The Corporate Charging Policy was produced following the review of practice and policy with regard to charges.

    3. Review of Charges

  3. The Charging Policy specifies that ‘All services must consider, in preparation of their annual plans, all the activities which make up the delivery of that service and assess which of them, may be made the subject of a charge. The annual plan for each service will contain a specific section on charging’. It continues by specifying all the information and criteria required in relation to charging within the plan.

  4. For the most part, Programme Areas have begun this task, and while it is not yet fully complete all plans should be complete by March 2003. However, all charges have been reviewed as part of the budget process.

    5. Proposed Charges

  5. The proposed charges are set out in the attached schedules. The information is set out in accordance with the Charging Policy and is assembled for each programme area as follows:

    • Annex 1A and 1B Services and Charges constrained by legislation;

    • Annex 2A and 2B Services where there is discretion to determine charges;

    • Annex 3A and 3B Services of Social Benefit (where relevant).

      Annexes - download as .xls files

Local Government Bill

  1. If the Local Government Bill becomes law, the Council will get powers to charge for discretionary services, and depending on the result of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment we may win new trading powers to raise additional income.

    2. RECOMMENDATION

  2. The Executive is RECOMMENDED to note those charges prescribed by legislation and approve those charges where there is local discretion as set out in the schedules appended to the report.

C GRAY
Director of Business Support & County Treasurer

Background papers: Nil

Contact Officer: Jenny Hydari Tel: (01865) 815401

November 2002

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