The Licensing Committee of Haringey Council met on 6 January 2025 to review proposed fee increases for licences and charges for 2025-26. The committee approved a 5% increase on existing discretionary fees and the introduction of new fees for promotional activities.

Review of Fees and Charges 2025-26 - Licences

The committee discussed the proposed increases to licensing fees for the upcoming financial year. Ms Daliah Barrett, Licensing Team Leader, presented the report, explaining that the annual review of fees and charges is a requirement of the Council's income policy, aimed at ensuring full cost recovery for the services provided. The proposed increases, set at 5% for discretionary fees, are intended to keep pace with rising service delivery costs, including inflation and nationally agreed wage increases. A new charge for promotional activity/product sampling was also introduced.

The committee heard that fees for Licensing Act and Gambling Act premises are already set at statutory maximums and constitute a significant portion of the fees collected. The report detailed various licensing regimes, including pavement licensing, street trading, sex establishment fees, leaflet distribution, and animal welfare licensing, all operating on a cost-recovery basis.

The committee noted that the Council is not making a surplus from these fees and that the charges are intended to cover officer time for enforcement, which can be challenging, particularly in relation to illegal street trading. The report also highlighted the Council's commitment to updating street trading conditions to promote sustainability, including bans on single-use plastics and helium balloons, and encouraging the use of recycled materials.

After considering the report and the recommendations, the committee resolved to approve the fees set out in Appendix 1, which includes the 5% increase on discretionary fees and the introduction of promotional activity fees. They also noted that Licensing Act and Gambling Act premises fees are already at statutory maximums.