URL: https://democracy.northdevon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4487

Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Committee, Council

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Committee considered a report by the Finance Manager (circulated previously) regarding the review of fees and charges for services 2026/27.   The Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive advised the following:   That further to the Committee’s earlier decision today to continue with the Trade Waste collection service for the collection of trade refuse and also schedule 2, there was a requirement for the Committee to consider increasing the fees for the collection of trade waste.  The Committee was required to make a recommendation to Council on 25 February 2026 and to inform the budget report.  The fees needed to be increased to ensure that the cost of the delivery of the service was recovered as a minimum. There was always a level of risk with setting fees and charges. The contracts for the collection of trade waste were for a 12 month period.  If the length of contract was reduced to enable fees to be reviewed, this would have implications on the Finance team and there would also be uncertainty for customers. If there was a surplus generated, the committee could consider not increasing fees for the following year 2027/28. Following the previous decision made by the Committee all customers would be notified.  It was hoped that there would be some growth in the number of customers following the positive public value being placed upon the service. When setting the fees for Trade Waste, there was a need to take into account that small businesses were struggling. The Council benchmarked fees for non statutory services to compare prices.   In response to questions from the Committee, the Head of Environmental Enhancement advised the following:   ·       That 82% of schedule 2 customers were commercial, but their trade waste recycling was collected by domestic rounds.  Following the decision made by the Committee, these customers would be retained. ·       There would be some delay for businesses to decide whether to remain with the Council or not.   RECOMMENDED that :   (a)  There be a 3% increase in fees for 2026/2027 financial year, for the following services: (some rounded) a.     Allotments – Appendix A b.     Building Control – Appendix B c.     Sports pitches – Appendix F d.     Pannier Market (Stalls and Events)) – Appendix G e.     Pre-application Planning fees – Appendix J f.       Event licence – Appendix L g.     Contractor Licence – Appendix M h.     Modification of S106 agreements – Appendix N   (b)  Council vary the remaining fees by the elements outlined in sections 4.3 to 4.9 of the report;   (c)   That the Trade Waste fees be increased by 46% based upon a 40% drop off of customers.

Date of Decision: February 2, 2026