Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Environmental Health Manager.

The report advised Cambridge City Council, as the Licensing Authority, is responsible for processing and issuing licences for a wide range of activities.

The Council needs to demonstrate that the fees it charges for such licences have been set in accordance with the law and best practice, so as to recover its allowable costs in administering the various licensing regimes for which it is responsible.

Fees should be set so as to avoid either a surplus or a subsidy where possible and adjusted, if necessary, in succeeding years to achieve and maintain the correct balance.

The Officer’s report set out the revised fees and charges for licences and associated items, which it is proposed should take effect from 1 April 2021.

Cambridge City Council acknowledge the impact of the current Covid 19 pandemic on many of the businesses and individuals it is responsible for processing and issuing licences for. As a result of the reported reduced income experienced by some of those it licences, Cambridge City Council is proposing no change for majority of the fees and charges they are responsible for.

The Committee:

Resolved (by 8 votes to 0) to approve the level of the fees and charges with effect from 1st April 2021, as set out in Appendix A of the Officer’s report. Members also requested officers to communicate changes with members of the public, businesses and taxi trade.

Councillor Gehring did not take part in the discussion or decision making on this item.