The numbers of people taking up Camden’s music service have decline due to an increase in charges, while residents who are moving or have building works done are being stung by a 267% increase in parking permissions charges.

In June Labour councillors on the Finance and Resource Committee asked council officers to look into the fees and charges regime.  The report, made available at the Resources Committee shows that taken together Camden has over 1000 separate fees and charges from 142 services.  In total the fees and charges budget of £85m for 2008/09 represents 9% of the £975m of budgeted income for the Council for that year, but over 30% of the annual spend.

We found:

• Music service take-up falls as prices rise – following the fee increase in 2007, demand fell from 1635 to 1449, a reduction of 11.4%.  Demand for this service is clearly price-sensitive, and officers need to look at how the service can be better supported.
• Permission to park notices go through the roof: These are used by householders for parking places outside their homes when builders, plumbers and movers wish to park outside the premises.  In order to “bring in line with Westminster” permission to park notices/ suspension of parking meters: the low tariff has increased by a massive 267% (to £33 a day), the medium tariff by 106% and the high tariff by 27% for the permission to park notices.
• The low tariff has increased by 230%, the medium tariff by 65% and the high tariff by 10% for the suspension of parking meters.
• Home improvement: Building Licence admin fees (minor works) were increased by 25%, and for major works there is a new charge, skips (2 weeks) increase by 17%, with 4 weeks increasing by 20%.
• Not so green: the fees for the Car Club have increased.  The first year charges have increased by 19%, subsequent years by 8%.
• Increased demand for childcare – Early Years and Sure Start Nursery capacity in Camden is anticipated to increase by 10% during 2008/09.  This is anticipated to “yield a higher level of income overall”, yet there is little analysis on how social inclusion factors are treated.

Labour is asking for officers to identify:

-      Which popular services are the most “price sensitive”, i.e. where a small rise would lead (as with the music service) to a drop in numbers taking the service up?

-       What the fundamental principles are behind Camden’s charging regime – to bring in line with neighbouring boroughs?  To reduce council tax?  To meet social objectives, e.g. childcare or after-school clubs.

Tags: music service, parking, Services