Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 18, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee in respect of fees and charges 2026/27 for waste, leisure and environmental health.   The charging proposals reflected a range of factors including the Borough Councils overall financial position, market position, trading patterns, the current rate of inflation and customer feedback.   Due regard was given to the views of the Committee, the financial and value for money considerations, the assessment of risk and the legal implications.  Cabinet welcomed the proposal for introducing a charge to new property developers to include capital costs, delivery costs and a reasonable administration element for the provision of all bins and waste containers.    In addition, to recovering the cost for providing bins and containers at new residential properties, the feasibility of seeking the cost for the provision of public litter bins related to new developments was supported.    In recognition of the Borough Councils overall financial position, the increasing challenges in achieving further expenditure savings and the importance of maximising income where possible, Cllr Boughton proposed, Cllr Keers seconded and Cabinet   RESOLVED:   That   (1)            the proposed schedule of charges for garden waste subscriptions, as set out in 5.1.4 of the report, be approved;   (2)            the proposed schedule of charges for household bulky refuse and fridge/freezer collection service, as set out in 5.2.4 of the report, be approved;   (3)            the proposed charge for “missed” refuse collection, as set out in 5.3.2 of the report, be approved;   (4)            the proposed schedule of charges in respect of Stray Dog redemption service, as set out in 5.5.4 of the report, be approved;   (5)            the proposed charge for Tonbridge Allotment, as set out in 5.6.2 of the report, be approved;   (6)            the proposed schedule of charges at Tonbridge Cemetery, as set out in Annex 1 and 5.7.2 of the report, be approved;   (7)            the proposed continuation of the pest control subsidy for residents in receipt of Council Tax Reduction Scheme alongside the existing charge, as set out in 5.8.1 of the report, be approved;   (8)            the proposed schedule of charges for Condemned Food Certificates, as set out in 5.9.2 of the report, be approved;   (9)            the proposed charge for Exported Food Certificates, as set out in 5.10.4 of the report, be approved;   (10)        the proposed charge for food hygiene requests for re-visits, as set out in 5.11.2 of the report, be approved;   (11)        the proposed charge for provision of services in respect of contaminated land, as set out in 5.12.5 of the report, be approved;   (12)        the proposed charge for provision of services in respect of private water supplies, as set out in 5.13.5 of the report, be approved;   (13)        the above proposed scale of charges (1) to (12) be implemented from 1 April 2026; and   (14)               the principle of charging property developers for the provision of all bins and waste containers at new developments, be approved, and the feasibility of seeking the cost for the provision of public litter bins related to new developments from developers, be explored.