Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Investment - Newport · Cabinet Member for Regeneration and...

Report Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Investment Part 1 Date: 14 July 2015 Item No: 1

Subject Regeneration, Investment and Housing - Fees and Charges

Purpose To seek Cabinet Member approval for the revision of charges within the Regeneration,

Investment and Housing service for the 2015/16 financial year.

Author Head of Regeneration, Investment and Housing

Ward General

Summary The report reviews the fees and charges for the Regeneration, Investment and Housing

services and includes:-

Building control fees

Market rents

Room hire

The fees and charges for the Regeneration, Investment and Housing service are reviewed on an annual basis. The proposed fees and charges for 2015/16 are given in detail in Appendix 1.

Proposal To agree the fees and charges as proposed in the report with immediate effect.

Action by Head of Regeneration, Investment and Housing

Timetable Immediate

This report was prepared after consultation with:

Head of Finance Interim Group Accountant for RIH Service Managers Head of Law and Regulations Head of People and Business Change

Signed

1. Background 1.1 RIH provide a range of services that require a fee payment to cover costs for administration,

implementation and management. Many of these functions are governed by legislation as are the fee parameters.

1.2 With the exception of community centre fees the proposal is to maintain the existing 2014/15

fee charging structure for the following reasons:

There is no proposed increase for building control fees due to significant increases last year and competition with private sector;

Development management fees are determined by Welsh Government and to date these have not yet been announced for 2015/16. Current consultation on fee increase but outcome not yet known;

Pre application charges are currently under review;

A review of charging policy for market rents is currently being undertaken by property consultants. New charging policy (where applicable) will then be implemented for 2015/16. Reviewing rents for existing stall holders has been hampered by refurbishment works.

2. Financial Summary 2.1 With the exception of the areas set out above the proposed increases are in line with the

Council’s budget for 2015/16. The requirement is to achieve a 4% increase of general income across the service area.

2.2 The proposed fees and charges are set out in appendix 1.

3. Risks 3.1 If the proposal is not accepted, the services will be undertaken at a loss, which will impact on

the budget.

Risk Impact of Risk if it occurs* (H/M/L)

Probability of risk occurring (H/M/L)

What is the Council doing or what has it done to avoid the risk or reduce its effect

Who is responsible for dealing with the risk?

Keep charges at their current rate

H L This will not cover the costs of delivering the function, which will reduce the available budget.

Service Managers

Increase costs over and above what is acceptable.

H M If costs are increased unreasonably, organisations and individuals will try to avoid paying or notifying the council. This could put the public at danger and will reduce income to the authority.

Service managers.

4. Links to Council Policies and Priorities

4.1

5. Options Available 5.1 To agree the proposals for the fees and charges for 2015-16.

5.2 To not agree the proposals to set out for implementation from April 2015

6. Preferred Option and Why 6.1 Preferred option is to agree the fees and charges proposed in order to meet the required

income target for the service.

7. Comments of Chief Financial Officer 7.1 The service area is constrained in respect of the charges that are imposed by Welsh

Government for the provision of development management fees. As the service area is also subject to competition from the private sector for the services that they offer a decision has been taken to maintain existing fee structure. 2014/15 fee income projections suggest that these will meet the requirement for the general increase of general income across the service area for 15/16.

7.2 There are also further reviews currently being undertaken by property consultants - the results

of which are currently unknown. 7.3 The remainder of the proposed increases in charges are in line with the Council’s budget for

2015/16. These take into account the requirement to achieve a 4% increase of general income across the service area.

8. Comments of Monitoring Officer 8.1 The proposed fees and charges are in accordance with the Council’s legal powers to fix

reasonable charges for the provision of these services. Development management fees are statutory and set by Welsh Government. Under the Building Control Charging Regulations, councils have a discretion to fix their own building control fees at a level which is sufficient to cover the costs of providing the service. However, in setting these discretionary fees, the Council has to be mindful of the market rates and competition from approved inspectors. The Council has a discretion when setting rentals for market lettings, in accordance with market rates, but implementation of any increases will depend upon the terms of any tenancy agreements and whether there is any business security of tenure. Therefore, it is reasonable to maintain these fess at current levels pending a further review. The Council can impose such fees and charges as it thinks fit for the use and hire of community centres in accordance with Section 19 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. It would be reasonable to increase these charges by an inflationary allowance of 4% in line with the Council’s budget policy, subject to the existing concessions and exemptions policy.

9. Staffing Implications: Comments of Head of People and Business Change 9.1 There are no direct human resources implications within this report.

10. Comments of Cabinet Member 10.1 The Cabinet Member has approved the report for circulation.

11. Scrutiny Committees 11.1 N/A

12. Equalities Impact Assessment

12.1 N/A

13. Children and Families (Wales) Measure 13.1 N/A

14. Comments from Non Executive Members None received Date : 14 July 2015

Appendix A

SERVICE AREA REGENERATION, INVESTMENT & HOUSING

SERVICE DESCRIPTION

CURRENT CHARGE

PROPOSED

CHARGE

% INCREASE NOTE

CURRENT BUDGET

CURRENT FORECAST

Planning and Development

Building Control Fees

242,305 230,000

Various Fees based on size and type of building. Examples of typical charges (excluding VAT).

No increase proposed 15/16 due to significant increases last year and competition with private sector

Single storey extension floor area not exceeding 10m2

i) Plan charge 125.00

125.00

0%

ii) Inspection charge 200.00

200.00

0%

iii) building notice charge 325.00

325.00

0%

Two storey Extension exceeding 40m2 but not exceeding 100m2


125.00

0%

ii) Inspection charge 341.67

341.67

0%


466.67

0%

Creation of New Dwelling


203.13

0%

ii) Inspection charge 0%

406.87 406.87


610.00

0%

Internal alterations

i) cost of works <£2000 125.00

125.00

0%

ii) cost of works £2001 to £5000 204.17

204.17

0%

iii) cost of works > £5000 245.83

245.83

0%

Safety at Sports Grounds Certificate

1,300.00

1,300.00

0%

Safety at Sports Grounds renewal

500.00

500.00

0%

Letter of acceptance to AIs 20.00

20.00

0% Discretionary service

Preliminary enquiries 50% of plan fee

50% of plan fee

0% This will be deducted from the full application fee if they use our Building Control service

Dangerous Structures 70.00 per hour

70.00 per hour

0% Charge applies after second visit.

Demolition Notice 130.00

130.00

0% Cost based on two visits

Development Management Fees

various based on scale of

development

various based on scale of

development

0% Fees determind by Welsh Government not announced yet for 2015/16. Current consultation on fee increase but outcome not yet known.

539,368 742,317

Pre-application advice Currently under review

Currently under review

tbc Pre - Application charges are currently under review

15,600 15,600

PROPERTY SERVICES

Market Rents various based on

size of stall and

facilities

various based on

size of stall and facilities

0% Review of charging policy being undertaken by property consultants. New charging policy (where applicable) will then be implemented for 2015/16. Reviewing rents for existing stall holders has been hampered by refurbishment works.

339,228 324,000

Civic Centre Room Hire

2,065 3,132

Council Chamber £68 per session

£213 per day

£68 per session

£213 per day

0%

Committee Room 1 £36 per session

£109 per day

£36 per session

£109 per day

0%

Committee Room 2 £26 per session £78 per

day

£26 per session £78

per day

0%


day


per day

0%


day


per day

0%

Committee Room 5 £21 per

session £62 per

day


per day

0%

Committee Room 7 £62 per session

£187 per day

£62 per session

£187 per day

0%

Equipment Hire 13.00

13.00

0%

Digital Projector 9.40

9.40

0%

Television 9.40

9.40

0%

Video 5.20

5.20

0%

OHP 5.20

5.20

0%

Screen 4.20

4.20

0%

Flipchart Stand 4.20

4.20

0%

Slide Projector

5.40

5.40 0%

Full facilities in Commiittee Room 7 Including staff assistance

57.20

57.20

0%

Council Chamber Microphones 28.60

28.60

0%

Council Chamber 1 Microphone 12.50

12.50

0%

Civic Centre Charging Eligibility

Full Charge

1 Industrial or Business Organisations

2 Organisations whose members are are engaged in trade, business or professional practice (other than student associations)

3 Statutory official or Government Bodies including Local Government except where reciprocal arrangements apply

Half Price

Political, Social or Trade Union Groups not included under full price or Free

Free (this only applies to evening sessions)

1 Organisations devoted exclusively to charitable causes

2 Societies for the handicapped

3 Organisations for promotion of recreational activities for young people.

4 Trade Union Branches whose members are employed by Newport City Council

5 Any political group meetings of Councillors and invited guests are free of charge (provided that not more than 25 % of the people attending the political group meetings are non Councillors).

NB Any registered charities chaired by the Mayor of Newport can use the meeting rooms free of charge at any time

Community Centres Room Hire

12,691 42,426

CAERLEON TOWN HALL

Non Profit Making/ Voluntary Organisations (per Hour)

Town Hall

9.60

10.00 4%

Memorial Hall

7.50

7.80 4%

Council Chamber

7.50

7.80 4%

Hire of Kitchen

5.80

6.00 4%

First Floor

9.60

10.00 4%

Small Group Organisations (per hour)

Town Hall

12.20

12.70 4%

Memorial Hall

9.60

10.00 4%

Council Chamber

9.60

10.00 4%

Hire of Kitchen

6.70

7.00 4%

First Floor

12.20

12.70 4%

Commercial/ Business (per hour)

Town Hall

15.00

15.60 4%

Memorial Hall

12.20

12.70 4%

Council Chamber

12.20

12.70 4%

Hire of Kitchen

7.80

8.10 4%

First Floor

13.20

13.75 4%

Ringland Community Centre


Main Hall

9.60

10.00 4%

Meeting Rooms

7.50

7.80 4%

Hire of Kitchen

5.80

6.00 4%

Special Events

( all weekend and large

event charges to be set by Malpas Court)



Changing Rooms

12.30

12.80 4%


Main Hall

12.20

12.70 4%

Meeting Rooms

9.60

10.00 4%

Hire of Kitchen

6.70

7.00 4%

Special Events





Changing Rooms

12.30

12.80 4%


Main Hall

15.00

15.60 4%

Meeting Rooms

12.20

12.70 4%

Hire of Kitchen

7.80

8.10 4%

Special Events





Changing Rooms

12.30

12.80 4%

Alway Community Centre


Main Hall

9.60

10.00 4%

Meeting Rooms

7.50

7.80 4%

Hire of Kitchen

5.80

6.00 4%

Special Events





Changing Rooms

12.30

12.80 4%


Main Hall

12.20

12.70 4%

Meeting Rooms

9.60

10.00 4%

Hire of Kitchen

6.70

7.00 4%

Special Events





Changing Rooms

12.30

12.80 4%


Main Hall

15.00

15.60 4%

Meeting Rooms

12.20

12.70 4%

Hire of Kitchen

7.80

8.10 4%

Special Events





Changing Rooms

12.30

12.80 4%

Bettws Day Centre


Main Hall

9.60

10.00 4%

Day Club

7.50

7.80 4%

Hire of Kitchen

5.80

6.00 4%

Special Events


event charges to be set by


event charges to be set by

Malpas Court)

Malpas Court)


Main Hall

12.20

12.70 4%

Day Club

9.60

10.00 4%

Hire of Kitchen

6.70

7.00 4%

Special Events






Main Hall

15.00

15.60 4%

Day Club

12.20

12.70 4%

Hire of Kitchen

7.80

8.10 4%

Special Events





Mary Dunn


Main Hall

11.10

11.60 4%

Training Room 4%

8.80 9.20

Hire of Kitchen

5.80

6.00 4%

Special Events






Main Hall

13.80

14.40 4%

Training Room

11.10

11.60 4%

Hire of Kitchen

6.70

7.00 4%

Special Events






Main Hall

15.00

15.60 4%

Training Room

12.20

12.70 4%

Hire of Kitchen

7.80

8.10 4%

Special Events





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