Agenda Item No. 9 EXECUTIVE - 20 NOVEMBER 2014 REVIEW OF FEES AND CHARGES 2015-16 Executive Summary It is the Council’s policy to review its discretionary fees and charges at least once a year. Schedules of proposed charges for 2015/16 are attached at Appendix 1 (People), Appendix 2 (Place) and Appendix 3 (Rhoda McGaw Theatre). Reasons for Decision The regular review of discretionary charges ensures that the Council maintains its income base and generates additional resources for the provision of services. Recommendations The Executive is requested to: RECOMMEND to Council That (i) the discretionary fees and charges, as set out in Appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the report, be approved; (ii) delegated authority be given to the relevant Strategic Director in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to agree any amendments to Fishing fees and charges, should the proposal of Goldsworth Park Angling Club proceed; (iii) delegated authority be given to the relevant Strategic Director in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to have the flexibility to run special Careline/Telecare promotional campaigns (including flexing of pricing) to attract users into the service, subject to the overall cost of the Careline Service being contained within existing budgetary provision; (iv) delegated authority be given to the relevant Strategic Director in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder to agree respective fees and charges for Stray Dogs, Homelink Services and Mobile Homes once the outcomes from various re-tendering / re-commissioning of services is known; and (v) the relevant Strategic Director be given delegated approval to agree the application of and/or variation to charging arrangements in respect of Event Parking in Woking Park. This item will need to be dealt with by way of a recommendation to Council Background Papers: Sustainability Impact Assessment Equalities Impact Assessment EXE14-332 1 Review of Fees and Charges 2015-16 Reporting Person: Leigh Clarke, Financial Services Manager Ext. 3277, E Mail: [email protected] Contact Person: Chris White, Business Support Manager Ext. 3225, E Mail: [email protected] Portfolio Holder: Cllr John Kingsbury E Mail: [email protected] Shadow Portfolio Holder: Cllr Ian Johnson E Mail:[email protected] Date Published: 12 November 2014 2 Review of Fees and Charges 2015-16 1.0 Introduction 1.1 In accordance with Council policy, fees and charges which are at the discretion of the Council are reviewed at least annually. 1.2 The fees and charges for 2014/15 were approved by the Council on 5 December 2013 and the forecast yields were incorporated in the budget approved by the Council on 13 February 2014. 1.3 As was the case when the 2014/15 fees and charges were agreed, business areas have been asked to look at ways of increasing yield through increased activity, revised charging or new charging opportunities. 1.4 Schedules of proposed charges for 2015/16 are attached at Appendix 1 (People), Appendix 2 (Place) and Appendix 3 (Rhoda McGaw Theatre). There are no charges associated with those services included within the ‘Us’ service category. 1.5 The Council’s “Strategy for Applying and Setting Fees and Charges for Services” was reviewed in October 2011 and the Executive agreed that it remained relevant and fit for purpose. The strategy sets out a broad and transparent approach to setting fees and charges. All charges are reviewed against this strategy and charges will be set in line with the framework outlined. 1.6 A commentary on any specific service issues arising from the review follows. The name of the relevant Business Manager contact has also been provided. 2.0 People Community Transport (Sue Barham) 2.1 Woking Community Transport are currently considering increasing their single journey price by between 10p-20p with potential increases due to take effect in a two staged process over the year to limit impact on users. The Council’s strategic positioning on charges for Centre Transport is that it endeavours to at least match the same increases applied to Dial-A-Ride charges (albeit that Centre Charges are at a lower base charge), and where considered appropriate will look to increase charges further to narrow the gap in price between Centre Transport and Dial-A-Ride generic charges especially bearing in mind the level of subsidy that the Council currently supports Woking Community Transport by. After due consideration the proposal is to increase the return journey cost for Centres Transport by 20p (£4.40 to £4.60 return) from April 2015. Discussions with Operations Manager’s at the Community Centres have indicated that they consider that service users would prefer one increase rather that a two staged fare increase at six monthly intervals. Open Spaces / Outdoor Sports (Sue Barham) 2.2 Freedom Leisure (FL) has been consulted on those outdoor activities managed by them under the Leisure Management Contract. Following their representations as well as local benchmarking it is proposed that fees increase by between 3-4%. 2.3 Current discussions are being held with Goldsworth Park Angling Club on proposals for them to take on and manage all aspects of fishing on the licensed waters of Goldsworth Lake and Brookwood Ponds. One of the Club’s objectives is to offer coaching and competitive opportunities as well as establish a training and teaching pond at Brookwood Country Park for young people who are interested in taking up fishing. The Club intend to implement increased presence at the lake by deploying Bailiffs who will collect money for 3 Review of Fees and Charges 2015-16 day permits and annual licences. The Bailiffs will also be given additional responsibility, allowing them to build on their existing positive contributions in restoring and maintaining the lakes. It is hoped that if the Club structures itself in this manner then it will be able to open the doors to a number of positive opportunities for funding streams. 2.4 The proposed Agreement between the Council and the Angling Club is still subject to further detailed discussion although the intention is that the Club retain the income received from fishing permits and day tickets in order to develop and improve angling opportunities at both sites. It is proposed that the Council will, certainly in the initial stages, reserve the right to itself to set the Fishing Fees and Charges after due consultation with the Angling Club. The Angling Club have taken advice on potential fee levels from the Angling Trust as identified below, which results in no proposal to increase the charges for permits overall and, by grading the categories in a more appropriate way, will result in charges being below the current prices, which in their view should attract greater participation. Current Proposed Club Charges 2014/15 2015/16 £ £ £ Season Ticket Adult / or No Key Card 52.00 50.00 Status & Concession with Key Card 26.00 25.00 Disabled inc. above 25.00 Junior (12-17 years) with Key Card 13.00 25.00 Junior (under 12 years) with Key Card 13.00 free Junior without Key Card 26.00 25.00 Staff Season Ticket with Key card 26.00 tbc Day Permits One Rod Two Rods Adult / or No Key Card 7.50 6.00 8.00 Status with Key Card 3.75 3.00 4.00 Concession with Key Card 3.00 tbc tbc Disabled inc. above 3.00 4.00 Junior (12-17 years) with Key Card 3.75 3.00 4.00 Junior (under 12 years) with Key Card 3.75 free n/a Junior without Key Card 4.25 tbc tbc Night Permits Adult 23.50 25.00 Disabled / OAP 23.50 20.00 Night season tickets will continue to be limited to 35 issues. Between 1st October and 31st March, season permits, excluding night permits, will be available at half price. 2.5 In view of the fact that the proposal is yet to be finalised and is still subject to consideration by the Goldsworth Park Recreation and Lake Users Group, it is proposed that the existing Fees and Charges structure in Appendix 1 be approved, but that delegated authority be given to the relevant Strategic Director in consultation with the 4 Review of Fees and Charges 2015-16 Portfolio Holder to amend the charges based on the approach contained in para 2.4 above subject to the overall proposal for the Angling Club being supported. Leisure Centre/Pool in the Park & Holiday Camps (Sue Barham) 2.6 Under the Leisure Management Contract arrangement with Freedom Leisure (FL), provision has been made for what is termed ‘core’ and ‘non-core’ charges. 2.7 Core charges are those fees and charges for sports and leisure activities which the Council has reserved the right to continue to set and include such activities as: badminton, squash, health referral, facility hire, casual gym use, public swimming, swim tuition, outdoor pitches, pavilions and memberships. Non-core charges are all other fees and charges which the Leisure Operator has the right to set having given due regard to: the Council’s corporate and strategic objectives for the Service as notified to the Leisure Operator as part of the Annual Service Planning Process and otherwise from time to time; the Hard to Reach Groups set out in the Service Specification and as otherwise notified to the Leisure Operator by the Council as part of the Annual Service Planning Process; the needs of the local community; the requirement to develop a balanced programme; the prevailing market conditions; and where appropriate, any specific pricing requirements of third parties in relation to special events to be held at the Facilities.