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The Chairman introduced report ES/1354 which set out the schedule of charges and dues for the Harbour and the fees and charges for the Campsite and Caravan Site for 2023/24.
Councillor Ritchie stated that the Council took a commercial approach to setting fees and charges as well as taking into account its own key principles. This included benchmarking and an expectation that fees would increase by at least 5% to ensure some level of cost recovery, when inflation was currently running at 11.1%.
Councillor Ritchie advised that income generation from the Harbour and the Caravan and Camping site was ringfenced for the Harbour account. Following discussion at today's meeting, fees and charges will be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting in January, with the new fees to take effect from 1 April 2023.
The General Manager added that rates for fisherman had been kept lower than the rate of inflation, as had static caravans, but costs for visitors had increased along with the rate of inflation.
David Gledhill asked if any comparison was made with similar facilities in the area. The General Manager stated that some comparison had been done although caravan fees had been decided much earlier on due to people wanting to book ahead. Southwold did not have facilities which compared to other areas and so benchmarking was difficult. Ultimately the decision was taken to ensure harbour could be sustainable.
Councillor Beavan asked what the average increase was, and whether this was in line with RPI. The General Manager stated that all fees had generally gone up by RPI or less, apart from odd smaller charges such as window cleaning which did not often apply. Electricity charges in the caravan site had been changed to a lower standing charge and then a unit price on top of that for actual useage to make charges more equitable and in line with Ofgem guidance.
There being no further questions, on the proposal of Councillor Smith and seconded by David Gledhill it was
RESOLVED
1. That having commented upon the proposed annual schedule of charges and dues for the Harbour for 2023/24 attached as Appendix A, these be recommended to Cabinet for approval.
2. That having commented upon the proposed fees and charges for the Campsite and Caravan Site for 2023/24 attached as Appendix B, these be recommended to Cabinet for approval.