Discretionary fees set to rise by 2%

Discretionary fees are set to rise by 2% during 2018/19, Thursday’s (14 September) Budget Cabinet meeting heard.

Councils have wide powers to provide discretionary services including powers in the Local Government Act 2000 (section 2) to do anything they consider likely to achieve the promotion or improvement of the economic, social and environmental well-being their areas.

Discretionary services are those services that an authority has the power, but is not obliged, to provide. Councils may recover via a charge - a discretionary fee - the costs of providing a service.

The proposed increase  of £126.9k will be going to consultation in the near future.

Exceptions to the 2% uplift include (see pdf below for full list): 

• Highways – the service has proposed a 0% uplift for 2018/19; due to a number of changes to the tariff structure in the last few years, this makes it impractical and financially prohibitive to uplift 2% year on year.
• Libraries – no uplift for 2018/19 is being proposed as the cost of implementation outweighs the additional income generated.
• Environmental Management – playing pitch letting fees are proposed not to be increased, as agreed October 2012 pending completion of the playing pitch strategy.
• Environmental Management – no increase proposed for MOT charges/private repairs as the current charge is already higher than competitors in the local area.
• Public Protection – Vehicles: Annual Fees, proposed no increase following review of other GM authorities’ charges.
• Resources – no increase to liability orders as Rochdale Council currently has the highest charge in Greater Manchester.
• Adult Care – Appointeeship fee increased to better reflect the cost of the service provided.

Section 93(3) of the Local Government Act 2003 places authorities under a duty to secure that, taking one financial year with another, the income from charges does not exceed the costs of provision.

 

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