To seek approval for the charging and trading principles outlined in the report and the suggested approach for the development of income proposals for directorates. To update Cabinet on the progress achieved to date and to approve proposals that deliver the income requirement contained in the agreed budget.

THAT:

(a)             the charging principles contained at Appendix 1 were approved;

(b)             the proposals in relation to car parking and planning advice charges contained in the report were approved and authority be delegated to the Director for Places & Communities to finalise the schedule of fees and charges to be applied within the principles agreed; and

(c)             the proposals in relation to school transport and adult social care charges contained in the report were approved and authority be delegated to the Director for People’s Services to finalise the schedule of fees and charges applied within the principles agreed.

A consistent approach to full cost recovery and increased income generation can be achieved through the adoption of corporate charging principles. Implementation of income proposals should be supported and driven using a managed process with clear timescales and priorities.

In order that a consistent authority-wide approach to charging is delivered a set of principles has been developed to provide a framework for testing existing charges and also for assessing any future charges.