The report advised that the Council had a number of fees and charges relating to the services it provides.  As part of the budget setting process, these charges were are reviewed on an annual basis.   Whilst some of the fees and charges are statutory, and therefore determined through legalisation,  the Council must also review its charges for discretionary services to ensure they reflect the current costs of service provision.

Historically review of fees and charges for this service have been on an adhoc basis and have, not reflected the true cost of this service.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to agree the recommendations in the report.

After a full discussion, a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED to approve the recommendations in the report.

1.            That the Committee was asked to recommend to PFR Committee to approve Option B to increase the Community Alarm Charge by 0.50p per week from the general fund of £22,620.00

2.            To approve that the fees and charges are reviews annually as part of the budget process.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION

The fees and charges for this service had not been reviewed since 2013/2014 and its was proposed that the existing fees and charges were increased for the 2016/17 budget. Brentwood Community Alarm Charge is the lowest in Essex and will remain the lowest in Essex.