Issue - meetings

Fees and Charges 2026/27

Meeting: 08/01/2026 - Cabinet (Item 186)

Webcast for 08/01/2026 - Cabinet

186 Fees and Charges 2026/27 PDF 546 KB

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to present a revised schedule of fees and charges for 2026/27. The report also describes the rationale for the revised charges compared to current charges for 2025/26. Revised charges are presented at Annex A alongside current charges for 2025/26.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet resolves to:

1. Endorse the rationale for revising fees and charges as set out in the report;

2. Approve the delegation of future decisions regarding the setting of Special Area of Conservation Fees to the Head of Planning Services in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning;

3. Approve the changes to car parking arrangements detailed in section 4 of the report to align with the Car Parking Strategy approved on 20 November 2025; and

4. Approve the implementation of revised fees and charges for 2026/27 as detailed in Annex A from 1 April 2026.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The purpose of the report was to present a revised schedule of fees and charges for 2026/27. The report also described the rationale for the revised charges compared to current charges for 2025/26. Revised charges were presented at Annex A alongside current charges for 2025/26.

Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report and highlighted that the report presented a revised schedule of fees and charges for 2026/27, including the rationale for changes compared to 2025/26. From 1 April 2026, many charges were recommended to increase by 3.8%, in line with the Consumer Prices Index, to maintain revenue and mitigate pressure on the 2026/27 budget. It was noted that all proposed charges were rounded appropriately and stated inclusive of VAT to reflect the actual cost to service users.

After discussion it was further noted that:

· At 4.1 The report would be revised to propose freezing pay and stay charges of one hour or less at 2025/26 levels across all car parks.

· At 4.4 There would be no season tickets available at Rissington Road car park

· At 4.5 The report would be revised to propose the introduction of a tourist levy and a minimum stay of 2 hours at Maugersbury Road Car Park, Stow on the Wold.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Coleman and seconded by Councillor Tony Dale.

Resolved that Cabinet:

1. Endorsed the rationale for revising fees and charges as set out in the report;

2. Approved the delegation of future decisions regarding the setting of Special Area of Conservation Fees to the Head of Planning Services in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning;

3. Approved the changes to car parking arrangements detailed in section 4 of the report to align with the Car Parking Strategy approved on 20 November 2025; and

4. Approved the implementation of the revised fees and charges for 2026/27, as detailed in Annex A, from 1 April 2026.

Voting record:

7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Minutes:

Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report, which presented the revised schedule of fees and charges for 2026/27 and outlined the rationale for changes compared to 2025/26. He noted that many charges were recommended to increase by 3.8% from 1 April 2026, in line with the Consumer Prices Index, to maintain revenue and mitigate pressure on the 2026/27 budget. It was estimated that the changes would generate an additional £309,000 per year, including £129,000 from car parking, excluding revenue from the proposed tourist levy at Maugersbury Road. The two hours free parking from 8am to 10am in Bourton-on-the-Water were also highlighted and it was confirmed that the fees were considered to be fair, reasonable, and regard had been given to affordability.

Councillor Tony Dale seconded the report, noting that the tourist levy at Maugersbury Road would support residents in managing tourism pressures and highlighted season ticket opportunities. Councillor Mike Evemy noted that short-stay parking fees had been maintained, public toilet charges standardised with minor increases, and planning fees reviewed to reflect service costs.

It was emphasised that the annual review of fees and charges ensured financial sustainability and supported continued council service delivery.

After discussion it was further noted that there had been some revisions to the report:

· At 4.1 The report had been revised to propose freezing pay and stay charges of one hour or less at 2025/26 levels across all car parks.

· At 4.4 There would be no season tickets available at Rissington Road car park.

· At 4.5 The report had been revised to propose the introduction of a tourist levy and a minimum stay of 2 hours at Maugersbury Road Car Park, Stow on the Wold.