The Cabinet Member is asked to approve the principles to be applied in establishing fees and charges for Public Rights of Way (PRoW) services and approve the schedule of fees and charges for PRoW information and services.
The Public Rights of Way and Access Service (PROWAS) is able to charge for a range of services that it provides. Where the power to charge exists, it is limited, by primary legislation and regulation, to the recovery of the full costs to the County Council of the provision of that service. In the case of opposed public path orders, the recovery of some elements of the County Council’s costs are prohibited.
In the current financial climate, it is essential that, where the PROWAS is able to charge for services, that the full cost of provision to the County Council is recovered, subject to regulation. The decision report will set out the principles applied in establishing the true costs of service provision and provide as an appendix the revised charges for PROWAS services.
How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: The proposal ensures, as far as is possible, that the full costs of service provision are reflected in fees and charges for PRoW work. This enables the existing revenue budget to be used in ways that support “Increasing Opportunities and Improving Outcomes” rather than in subsidising discretionary services that may be charged for.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 12/09/2017
Decision due: Not before 11th Oct 2017 by Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services
Reason: in order that the proposed decision can be published for a minimumof 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Community and Regulatory Services
Lead director: Katie Stewart
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Graham Rusling, Head of Public Rights of Way & Access 03000 413449 Email: graham.rusling@kent.gov.uk Tel: 01622 696995.
Consultees
The proposed decision was considered and endorsed by the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 21 September 2017.
Financial implications: By charging for Public Rights of Way services, where permitted, the Public Rights of Way and Access Service is able to meet the demand for some of its services while not impacting on otherwise pressured revenue budgets. Income from rechargeable and fee earning work is currently forecast at £141,000 for this financial year.
Legal implications: The fees and charges proposed reflect the ability of the PRoW to recover the costs of some of its activities in line with the applicable legislation and regulation.
Equalities implications: Nil, an EQIA has been completed.