Issue - meetings

The Committee heard from the Financial Services Manager who presented a report detailing the proposed fees and charges to be implemented from 1 April 2026, for services within this committee, as well as those recommended by the Prosperous Communities Committee. The budget implications reflected both the impact of proposed amendments to fees, and the forecast demand for each service.

It was explained that 41% of the charge lines were statutory and were published once released by the relevant body. The release of the statutory planning fees was awaited, and it was noted this had occurred in November the previous year. Therefore, they were based on the September CPI rate which was confirmed earlier this month as being unchanged from August at 3.8%.

The remaining 59% of charge lines were non-statutory and were locally set by the Council. For each service provided, total cost recovery was aimed for where possible, however benchmarking data was taken into consideration, as was the budget managers’ knowledge of the market and demand. Members were advised that the main cost driver for the majority of chargeable services was staff time, therefore the pay award increase of 3.2% was applied as he inflationary uplift for 2026/27 with a further 2.5% increase applied as an estimate each year from 2027/28 onwards.

In relation to non-statutory fees, 39% had seen no proposed change, it was highlighted this primarily related to markets and car parks. With regard to car parks, a revised car park strategy was imminent so no amendments to fees were proposed at this time. With regard to markets, trader numbers were being maintained and so it was not proposed to apply any increases at this stage. It was highlighted there was a proposed fee reduction for Tuesday fees for vans and trailers to encourage more traders of this type. There was no stall erection required for these traders therefore it was deemed appropriate to reduce the fees to be more in line with market stalls.

Members were advised that in relation to the garden waste charge, the Prosperous Communities Committee had considered three options for the 2026/27 subscription fee and recommended the fee of £48, which was a £2 or 4.3% increase on the current year, and represented cost recovery for the service.

It was also highlighted that 60% of non-statutory fees were proposed to increase, the majority of which were based on an increase of 3.2% rounded to the nearest £ or 50p. The total impact of the fees and charges review on the MTFP for 2026/27 was an increase in income of £81,500, rising to £126,400 in 2030/31. Members were asked to recommend the proposed fees to Council for approval, and for inclusion within the 2026/2027 revenue budget.

Additionally, Members were being asked to consider the request for one day’s free car parking to support Christmas events in Gainsborough and Market Rasen. It was explained that in 2022, Members had approved a day’s free car parking for three years from 2023 to 2025, with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59