The report before Members reviewed the Council’s Planning and Building Control non- statutory fees and charges. The current fees and charges had been benchmarked against the rates charged in other Essex councils and some East London Boroughs to gauge how Brentwood’s rates compared with similar services elsewhere in the area.

The evidence suggested that Brentwood was currently undercharging for the planning and building control services it provided. It was therefore proposed to increase the planning and building control fees and charges to a more appropriate level given the level of service currently offered. It was also proposed to review the planning and building control fees annually to ensure they reflected the services provided and prevalent market conditions

in the development industry. It was important for the Council to undertake an annual review of fees and charges moving forward as Council budgets continued to reduce and the need to increase income external sources such as fees and charges became increasingly important.

The report did not propose to increase the photocopying charges for Planning and Building Control.

Cllr Baker MOVED and Cllr Aspinell SECONDED the recommendations within the report and a vote was taken on a show of hands.  It was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.     The Council’s Planning and Building Control non-statutory fees and charges be amended to the rates outlined in paragraph 4.3 of the report, with effect from 1 April 2015.

2.    An annual review and future revision where appropriate of all Planning and Building Control non-statutory fees and charges be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development after consultation with the Chair of the Planning and Development Committee.

3.     In relation to recovery of costs relating to the inspection and monitoring of Section 106 Agreements, standard clauses be introduced to the Council Agreements where appropriate, with the agreement of the Head of Planning and Chair of Planning and Development.

Reason for Decision

Brentwood Borough Council’s Planning Fees and Charges had not been reviewed since 2010 and so did not reflect the current costs of providing non-statutory planning services to developers. Neither did they consider the increasing budget constraints facing the public sector meaning that there was now a prerogative upon all Council services to generate income wherever possible to contribute to the provision of high quality services to residents and businesses.