Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources).

The Strategic Director (Corporate Resources) introduced the Fees and Charges 2019/20 report.

In response to a question from Councillor M R Eddy concerning the increase in local land charge fees it was stated that the search fees had been revised following a time monitoring exercise undertaken as a result of an audit recommendation. As a result of this exercise, whilst overall cost of a standard search (LLC1 and CON29) did not change greatly the cost of individual CON29 questions did. However, this was a better reflection of the actual time taken to produce and provide the information. As part of this it was considered no longer appropriate to charge the administration fee as a separate fee and that each question would be costed to include the relevant element of administration. This was consistent with the current practice for the majority of Kent Authorities and resulted in more competitive fees for the individual questions. In view of this it was possible that the authority would see an increase in business.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate Resources)

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Corporate Resources and Performance

It was agreed:

(a)  That the fees and charges for 2019/20, as set out at Appendices 2.1 to 2.6 and 5.1 and 5.3, be approved.

(b)  That any fees and charges will be adjusted by the Service Director, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to comply with any subsequently received government guidelines (when they are received) and any other minor changes, without being the subject of a further report unless they are materially different from current charges or have a material impact on the level of income. 

(c)  That the general principle that fees are set at an appropriate inclusive level, irrespective of VAT status, and that the VAT element within the overall fee level is then determined, be approved.

(d)  That the fees and charges approved separately by the Licensing and Regulatory Committees, as set out at Appendices 3 and 4 of the report, be noted.