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Review of ShopMobilitity Hire Charges and Annual Membership

31/08/2018 - Review of ShopMobilitity Hire Charges and Annual Membership

Decision of:

Councillor Blencowe. Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport

Reference:

18/URGENCY/P&T/5

Date of decision:                             

28/08/18

Recorded on: 

28/08/18

Decision Type:

Non Key

Matter for Decision:

Reduction in charges for ShopMobility annual membership and scooter hire

Why the decision had to be made (and any alternative options):

Charges for ShopMobility for annual membership fee and daily scooter/wheelchair hire were part of the council’s 2018 budget and were introduced on 8th May 2018. As was stated in February 2018 and at subsequent council meetings, the new charges were accompanied by a commitment to monitor the effect of the charges on usage.

The monitoring report, based on the sound evidence provided by three months data has indicated a 65% reduction in usage of the services over the period to date against a forecast change of 20%.

The Council has considered the options to address this and has decided to make the change rather than delay, reducing charges from the 1st September, requiring an out of cycle decision to address user needs.

The decision will be reported in October to the Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee.

The Executive Councillor’s decision(s):

To introduce revised charges at half the original level from the 1st September of:

 

·         Annual membership - £20 ex VAT. £24 incl VAT

·         Membership hire charge - £2.50 ex VAT. £3 incl VAT

·         Non Member - £5 ex VAT. £6 incl VAT

Registered disabled users are not liable to VAT, so the vast majority of ShopMobility payments, over 80%, will be at the exclusive of VAT.

Reasons for the decision:

As set out in the briefing paper from the Head of Commercial Services

Scrutiny consideration:

 

 

Report:

The Chair and Spokespersons of Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action being authorised

 

A briefing note detailing the background and financial considerations is attached.

 

 

Conflicts of interest:

None known

Comments:

This decision will be reported to the Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee on 2 October 2018.

Briefing Note - Urgent Decision - Review Of ShopMobility Hire Charges And Annual Membership