Decision

The Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee has decided to approve the draft Sheffield Biological Record Centre Charging and Data Supply Policy, including proposals to increase fees for commercial customers.

Analysis

outcome: The recommendations were approved by the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee.

summary: The decision at stake is the approval of a draft Sheffield Biological Record Centre Charging and Data Supply Policy, including proposals to increase fees for commercial customers.

topline: The Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee has decided to approve the draft Sheffield Biological Record Centre Charging and Data Supply Policy, including proposals to increase fees for commercial customers.

reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves increasing fees for commercial customers, which could impact businesses and stakeholders who rely on the data.

affected_stakeholders: ["Commercial customers", "Sheffield Biological Record Centre", "Local Environmental Records Centres"]

contentiousness_score: 6

political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.

URL: https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4562

Decision Maker: Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: 8.1 The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services which presented for approval a draft Sheffield Biological Record Centre Charging and Data Supply Policy, and proposals to increase the fees charged by the Sheffield Biological Record Centre to commercial customers, from 21st July 2025.     8.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Communities, Parks and Leisure Policy Committee:- (a)  Approves the draft Sheffield Biological Record Centre Charging and Data Supply Policy attached to this report as an Appendix 2 of the report; (b)  Approves the proposed charging structure and fees for the supply of Sheffield Biological Record Centre data detailed in the report; and (c)  Agree that the new fees will take effect for all new data requests submitted after 21st July 2025.         8.3 Reasons for Decision     8.3.1 The recommended Biological Record Centre fee increase for our service to commercial customers is the first one since 2011 and is required to cover increased costs and to contribute to a balanced budget. The increased fees have been benchmarked against fees charged by other Local Environmental Records Centres (LERCs) to commercial customers.         8.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     84.1 Alternative Option 1: Increase all fees for the service to commercial customers by 100%. This was considered but the higher end of the fees would make Sheffield’s BRC rates higher than other LERCs and feedback from some commercial customers was that this would be unpalatable. Calculations were run and the proposed fee increases are predicted to cover the BRC costs that can legitimately be charged for.     8.4.2 Alternative Option 2: Wait to increase fees for the service to commercial customers until we have invested in new software for the BRC. We are looking into software options, but it could be at least another 6-12 months before the data is transferred, and the fee increase is already overdue. If we can increase the fees now it will help to contribute to the higher costs this financial year.     8.4.3 Do Nothing – Don’t increase the fees This option has been discounted as the Council would not be bringing in funds that it can reasonably charge for.      

Date of Decision: June 30, 2025