Review of Civic Licence Fees
Perth and Kinross Council · 30 January 2024
Back to Licensing Committee — 30 January 2024 and its agenda
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Perth And Kinross Council Licensing Committee 30 January 2024 REVIEW OF CIVIC LICENCE FEES . Report By Strategic Lead – Legal And Governance (Report No. 24/36) 1. PURPOSE 1.1 This report recommends that the Committee approves an increase in fees as shown in Appendix 1 for licences issued under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. It is proposed that the revised fees detailed in Appendix 1 be adopted with effect from 1 April 2024. 2. RECOMMENDATIONS 2.1 It is recommended that the Licensing Committee: • approves the increase in fees as shown in Appendix 1 for licences issued under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. 3. STRUCTURE OF REPORT 3.1 This report is structured over the following sections: • Section 4: Background • Section 5: Proposals • Section 6: Conclusion 4. BACKGROUND / MAIN ISSUES 4.1 The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 gives the Council power to set fees for individual licences in order to recover the cost of providing the civic licensing service. In setting the fees, the Council must ensure that the income received through fees meets the expenses incurred in exercising its functions under the Act. 4.2 Fees for licences issued under the 1982 Act were last reviewed in February 2020. The proposed change represents an inflationary increase of 4% which is consistent with the Council’s medium term financial plan (report 23/267 refers) where the mid-range assumption for 24/25 is 4% for fees and charges. 4.3 This review has been undertaken in accordance with the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee report Charging for Services (report 15/65 refers) and the revised Corporate Charging Policy of full cost recovery for providing a service.
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5. PROPOSALS 5.1 It is proposed that a 4% increase in fees is made to all fees for licences under the 1982 Act listed in the Appendix. Fees have been unchanged for almost 4 years, so an uplift is necessary to ensure that the costs of operating the licensing system are fully recovered through fees. 6. CONCLUSION 6.1 The report proposes an increase in fees charged in terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 as set out in this report, to take effect from 1 April 2024. 6.2 The Committee is asked to approve the increase in fees charged as set out in Appendix 1. Author(s) Name Designation Contact Details Debra Gilkison Licensing Manger 01738 475159 Approved Name Designation Date Sarah Rodger Legal Manager 05/01/2024
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ANNEX 1 1. IMPLICATIONS, ASSESSMENTS, CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION Strategic Implications Yes / None Community Plan None Corporate Plan Yes Resource Implications Financial Yes Workforce None Asset Management (land, property, IST) None Assessments Equality Impact Assessment None Strategic Environmental Assessment None Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) None Legal and Governance Yes Risk None Consultation Internal Yes External None Communication Communications Plan None 1. Strategic Implications Community Plan 1.1 Not applicable Corporate Plan 1.2 The Council’s Corporate Plan 2022/23 to 2027/28 lays out five outcome focussed strategic objectives which provide clear strategic direction, inform decisions at a corporate and service level and shape resources allocation. They are as follows:- (i) Children and young people grow up safe, respected, well-educated and confident in their ability to realise their full potential; (ii) People and businesses are increasingly able to prosper in a local economy which supports low carbon ambitions and offers opportunities for all; (iii) People can achieve their best physical and mental health and have access to quality care and support when they need it;
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(iv) Communities are resilient and physically, digitally and socially connected; (v) Perth and Kinross is a safe and vibrant place, mitigating the impact of climate and environmental change for this and future generations. 2. Resource Implications Financial 2.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from this report other than those reported within the body of the main report. Workforce 2.2 Not applicable 3. Assessments Equality Impact Assessment 3.1 Under the Equality Act 2010, the Council is required to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between equality groups. Carrying out Equality Impact Assessments for plans and policies allows the Council to demonstrate that it is meeting these duties. 3.2 A full EFIA was not necessary as the report has no impact in terms of the public sector equality duty or people with protected characteristics. Strategic Environmental Assessment 3.3 The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 places a duty on the Council to identify and assess the environmental consequences of its proposals. 3.4 Under the provisions of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 the Council has to discharge its duties in a way which contributes to the achievement of sustainable development. In terms of the Climate Change Act, the Council has a general duty to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and the community, environmental and economic impacts of its actions. 3.5 The information contained within this report has been considered under the Act. However, no action is required as the Act does not apply to the matters presented in this report.
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4. Consultation Internal 4.1 Finance and Business Support have been consulted in connection with the proposed increase in fees. External 4.2 None 2. BACKGROUND PAPERS None 3. APPENDICES 3.1 Appendix 1 - Perth and Kinross Proposed List of Fees