Lead Member – Councillor Gwilym Butler – Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources

Report of James Walton – Executive Director of Resources

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet members discussed the proposed fees and charges and recommended Full Council to –

·       Note the breakdown of the total income for 2022/23 and 2023/24 and in particular that the proposed 2023/24 charges for discretionary services represent £45.052m of the £86.918m of income derived from Fees and Charges.

·       Approve the charges for 2023/24 as detailed in Appendix 3 to be implemented from 1 April 2023.

·       Note 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.

·       Revise housing rents as follows (subject to restrictions or exemptions identified in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill):

i.                Social Housing rents for 2023/24 are increased by 7% from 3rd April 2023.

ii.               Affordable rents for 2023/24 are increased by 7% from 3rd April 2023

iii.              Shared Ownership rents continue to be set at 2.75% of the outstanding capital value of the home at the time of sale and thereafter increased each April in accordance with the terms specified in the lease agreements. For 2023/24 the increase is capped at 7% in line with the cap imposed on social housing rents.

iv.             Service charges continue to be set based on actual cost.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Resources introduced the report which presented the budgeted income to be received and proposed the level of fees and charges to be applied by Shropshire Council in 2023/24.

It was noted that the report contained a charge for road closures and that this had yet to be agreed. It was confirmed that this would be removed from the report which was being taken to full Council.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet members discussed the proposed fees and charges and recommended Full Council to –

·       Note the breakdown of the total income for 2022/23 and 2023/24 and in particular that the proposed 2023/24 charges for discretionary services represent £45.052m of the £86.918m of income derived from Fees and Charges.

·       Approve the charges for 2023/24 as detailed in Appendix 3 to be implemented from 1 April 2023.

·       Note 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.

·       Revise housing rents as follows (subject to restrictions or exemptions identified in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill):

i.                Social Housing rents for 2023/24 are increased by 7% from 3rd April 2023.

ii.               Affordable rents for 2023/24 are increased by 7% from 3rd April 2023

iii.              Shared Ownership rents continue to be set at 2.75% of the outstanding capital value of the home at the time of sale and thereafter increased each April in accordance with the terms specified in the lease agreements. For 2023/24 the increase is capped at 7% in line with the cap imposed on social housing rents.

iv.             Service charges continue to be set based on actual cost.