Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: December 16, 2025

Purpose: To provide a list of all the Discretionary Fees & Charges to be Consulted on for 2026/27

Content:  The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Services, which sought to update on the revised discretionary fees and charges for 2026/27 and to request approval to commence the relating public consultation.   The Cabinet Member Finance and Growth delivered a brief summary of the report’s key points.   The Deputy Chief Finance Officer was in attendance to present the information and respond to questions and comments from the Cabinet Members.   The Senior Officer informed that Discretionary Fees and Charges were reviewed on an annual basis. At Cabinet 29th July 2025 a 2% general increase in Discretionary Fees and Charges for 2026/27 had been agreed for planning purposes, subject to exemptions to be agreed.   Inflation had remained high during 2025/26, putting additional pressure on Council running costs, and so the proposed increase in Discretionary Fees and Charges had been increased to 3%. This would generate additional income and bring the charges more in line with general inflationary increases.   The report detailed the proposed Discretionary Fees and Charges for 2026/27 as a basis for consultation, and detailed those charges proposed to be exempt or different from the general 3% increase.   The report detailed the new proposed Discretionary Fees and Charges for 2026/27 for consultation.   Resolved: 1.     That the updated Discretionary Fees and Charges included in appendix 1 to the report for 2026/27, as a basis for consultation be agreed; 2.     That it be noted that a 1% change to the Discretionary Fees & Charges would mean an increase or decrease of c £42k. Any change to the percentage increase could be considered as part of the consultation; 3.     That the charges exempt from the general 3% increase, as set out in paragraph 5.3 to the report be agreed; 4.     That the different percentage increases, as set out in paragraph 5.4 to the report be agreed; 5.     That the proposed new Discretionary Fees & Charges as set out in paragraph 5.5 to the report be agreed; 6.     That it be noted that the Town Hall charges had been removed from the Discretionary Fees & Charges report as they had been approved via a Delegated Decision Notice in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.   Reason for decision: The fees and charges in the report and appendix 1 had been proposed by each Directorate, taking into account the 3% general uplift in Discretionary Fees and Charges. It was recommended that no uplift is applied to the fees and charges detailed in paragraph 5.3 to the report. It was recommended that the fees and charges in paragraph 5.4 to the report were uplifted by the amounts stated. It was recommended that the new fees and charges in paragraph 5.5 to the report be approved for consultation.   Alternatives considered and rejected: The alternative was not to review or increase the fees and charges. This would potentially reduce the income available to the Council and make it more difficult to achieve a balanced budget.