Purpose

This report details the changes
in fees and charges proposed for the financial year
2025-26

Decision

Decision(s):
 
This report details the changes in fees and
charges proposed for the financial year 2025-26
 
Reason(s) for the
Decision(s):
 
The Service reviews the fees and charges for
services and documents provided each year.  The revenue forms part of the Council’s
budget.
 
Planning Services have traditionally reviewed
fees and charges annually to ensure that service provision costs
are adequately reflected when charges are set. 
 
Planning application fees are set
nationally.  In December 2023 new fees
were implemented nationally.  This
included:
 
·               
increase planning fees by 35% for major applications and 25% for
all other applications
·               
additional categories were added for intermediate levels of
development
·               
make an annual inflation-related adjustment to planning fees
from 2025 onwards
·               
ring-fence additional fees income
·               
remove the ‘free-go’ for repeat applications
·               
reduce the Planning Guarantee from 26 weeks to 16 weeks for
non-major applications
 
The Government have released the proposed
changes to fees effective from April 2025 that includes the annual
inflation (based on 1.7%) related adjustment but also includes some
additional changes to fees for variation of conditions, prior
notifications and householder development.  The changes have resulted in a doubling of
householder and prior notification charges.
 
Both the Building Control and Land Charges
services are in competition with the private sector and fees and
charges must be set to ensure we are competitive within those
markets. 
 
Fees have been reviewed to ensure that the
service is covering its costs for each of the application types and
are to be increased in line with CPI increases of 2.6% (rounded
up).
 
Alternative Options
Considered and Rejected
 
No change for any fees or
charges – Building Control service must break even over
3-year period.  The service has
reassessed charges required for service provision to
continue.