Lead Member – Mr Malcolm Pate – Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Financial Strategy, Budget and Business Plan.

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance is attached marked 12.

Contact: James Walton 01743 255001

RESOLVED:

i)          That the breakdown of the total income for 2015/16 and in particular that the charges for discretionary services represent only £16.233m of the £55.560m of income derived from fees and charges, be noted.

ii)         That the charges for 2016/17 be recommended to Council as detailed in Appendix 3 to be implemented 1 April 2016, recognising that managers have proposed varying policies for 2016/17 fees and charges ranging from a reduction or freeze in certain areas to above inflation level increases in others, based on the nature of the service, market forces, customer reaction and competition from other providers as well as the state of the economy.  Any changes required further to ongoing reviews will be approved in line with the Council’s charging policy, Officer delegations and the financial rules.

iii)       That it be noted that as previously agreed, any changes to fees and charges proposed by Shropshire Community Leisure Trust Ltd. in relation to the outsourced leisure facilities will only be referred to Cabinet and Council for approval if the proposed increases exceed Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the preceding November.

iv)       That it be noted that monitoring reports will identify adjustments required to income budgets in the Financial Strategy which may or may not be offset by corresponding adjustments to expenditure budgets.   

v)         That subject to restrictions or exemptions identified in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill it is recommended to Council that 

·         Social housing rents are reduced by 1% from 4^th April 2016.

·         Affordable rents for 2016/17 are reduced by 1% from 4^th April 2016.

·         Shared ownership rents continue to be set at 2.75% of the outstanding capital value of the home.

·         Up to 58 social rents are converted to affordable rents in accordance with the Homes and Communities Agency grant funding for the Phase 2 new homes building programme.

·         Service charges continue to be set on the basis of actual cost.    

vi)       That the Personal Budget Contributions Policy for Adult Services which is reviewed annually be recommended to Council.  

111.1  The Leader presented a report by the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance – copy attached to the signed Minutes - on the level of fees and charges to be applied in 2016/17 and the recommended approach to be followed to calculate rent levels for the Council’s retained housing stock for the 2016/17 financial year.  He stressed that income generation would play an ever increasing important role in the Council’s future finances.

111.2  A Member commented that the number of planning appeals was of concern to some Parish/Town Councils and the Council’s apparent lack of desire to claim for costs in appeal cases.  The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and Environment stated that the number of appeals had increased and it had been worth developers appealing however the Council now had the appropriate evidence in order to seek claims for costs in future.

111.3  RESOLVED:

i)          That the breakdown of the total income for 2015/16 and in particular that the charges for discretionary services represent only £16.233m of the £55.560m of income derived from fees and charges, be noted.

ii)         That the charges for 2016/17 be recommended to Council as detailed in Appendix 3 to be implemented 1 April 2016, recognising that managers have proposed varying policies for 2016/17 fees and charges ranging from a reduction or freeze in certain areas to above inflation level increases in others, based on the nature of the service, market forces, customer reaction and competition from other providers as well as the state of the economy.  Any changes required further to ongoing reviews will be approved in line with the Council’s charging policy, Officer delegations and the financial rules.

iii)       That it be noted that as previously agreed, any changes to fees and charges proposed by Shropshire Community Leisure Trust Ltd. in relation to the outsourced leisure facilities will only be referred to Cabinet and Council for approval if the proposed increases exceed Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the preceding November.

iv)       That it be noted that monitoring reports will identify adjustments required to income budgets in the Financial Strategy which may or may not be offset by corresponding adjustments to expenditure budgets.   

v)         That subject to restrictions or exemptions identified in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill it is recommended to Council that 

·         Social housing rents are reduced by 1% from 4^th April 2016.

·         Affordable rents for 2016/17 are reduced by 1% from 4^th April 2016.

·         Shared ownership rents continue to be set at 2.75% of the outstanding capital value of the home.

·         Up to 58 social rents are converted to affordable rents in accordance with the Homes and Communities Agency grant funding for the Phase 2 new homes building programme.

·         Service charges continue to be set on the basis of actual cost.    

vi)       That the Personal Budget Contributions Policy for Adult Services which is reviewed annually be recommended to Council.