Agenda item

The Executive RESOLVED that:

(i)            The pre-application charging schedule be increased by 25% for non-major proposals and 35% for major proposals and takes effect from 1 April 2024;

(ii)          The existing fast-track planning application service continues and, subject to piloting, from 1 April 2024 is expanded to include minor developments;

(iii)         General enquiries fees and administrative fees for paper handling and invalid planning applications be introduced and take effect from 1 April 2024;

(iv)         Planning performance agreements are standardised and better promoted with a clear fee structure, template agreement and improved web content;

(v)          Building Control fees be increased by 53% to take effect from 1 April 2024; and

(vi)         Building Control administrative fees are introduced for archive records, Demolition Notices and Exempt Building Work Certificates.

The Executive considered a report setting out proposed increases to fees for the Planning and Building Control services. The proposals included continuing the fast-track planning application service and expanding it to include minor developments. It also introduced fees for general enquiries and administrative fees for paper handling and invalid applications. New Building Control administrative fees would be introduced for archive records, Demolition Notices and Exempt Building Work Certificates. These changes would be applied from 1 April 2024.

Members were advised that the changes had been proposed to ensure that the department continued to deliver the best possible customer service with clear expectations for the public. Income generation as a result of these changes would enable the service to reinvest the resource and support the wider council objectives.  

RESOLVED that:

(i)     The pre-application charging schedule be increased by 25% for non-major proposals and 35% for major proposals and takes effect from 1 April 2024;

(ii)   The existing fast-track planning application service continues and, subject to piloting, from 1 April 2024 is expanded to include minor developments;

(iii)  General enquiries fees and administrative fees for paper handling and invalid planning applications be introduced and take effect from 1 April 2024;

(iv)  Planning performance agreements are standardised and better promoted with a clear fee structure, template agreement and improved web content;

(v)   Building Control fees be increased by 53% to take effect from 1 April 2024; and

(vi)  Building Control administrative fees are introduced for archive records, Demolition Notices and Exempt Building Work Certificates.