Issue - meetings

To consider and endorse, or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste on the proposals to amend fees and charges for 2018/2019; and to delegate authority to the Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste to amend such changes up to a maximum of the prevailing Retail Price Index (RPI), or the agreed increase in Council Tax.

Andrew Loosemore (Head of Highways Asset Management) and Kirstie Williams (Highways Asset Management – Mid Kent Highway Manager) were in attendance for this item.

1. Mr M Whiting (Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste) introduced the report that set out the proposed changes to fees and charges for the services provided by Kent County Council as the Highway Authority for the 2018/19 financial year. The paper proposed that the Director for Highways, Transportation and Waste be delegated the authority to amend the fees and charges up to a maximum of the prevailing Retail Price Index (RPI), or the agreed increased in Council Tax to reflect the actual service cost.

2. Andrew Loosemore (Head of Highways Asset Management) rectified the following errors:

a.    Appendix A, page 182 ‘over the footway - single dwelling inspection fee for 3 site checks’ – the figure should read £150

b.    Appendix A, page 188 ‘National Driver Alertness Course [formerly NDIS] self-financing scheme provided for Kent Police’ – the figure should read £170

3. In response to questions the officer provided further information:

a.  Kirstie Williams (Highways Asset Management – Mid Kent Highway Manager) referred to paragraph 2.3 of the report that listed three exceptions where the current fees for those services no longer covered the actual cost or reflected the charges made by other Local Authorities. She informed Members that all fees had been scrutinised and that those listed failed to cover the cost of staff delivery, thereby resulting to a cost increase.

b.  In response to issues raised around the provision of training services and the attendance levels, Kirstie Williams had received feedback from the course manager who had reviewed the Bike-ability Cycle Training and reported that the allocated budget consistently failed to cover the cost of the course. In regard to Bike-ability Cycle Training for children, there was an increase in overhead spend when the course was done outside of schools. If Schools provided this within the remit of Safeguarding, Teachers were able to provide the resources required.

4. RESOLVED that the Committee endorsed the proposal to the Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways. Transport and Waste to amend fees and charges for 2018/2019 and to delegate authority to the Director of Highways. Transportation and Waste to amend such changes up to a maximum of the prevailing Retail Price Index (RPI), or the agreed increase in Council Tax, whichever is the greater.