Generating income

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We have the ability to raise income by investing in the economy of our borough, investing in housing and charging for services that are currently funded by the Council, where appropriate. New proposals that relate to this theme will reduce our costs by £2.7 million over the next two years and include the following.

Proposals

(5.1) Increasing our income to meet costs in highways and transport: We believe we can recover more income from utilities companies and developers for works which impact the highway. We have also reviewed licence charges for things like signage, alfresco eating and drinking and charges that disrupt bus routes. Overall, these proposals could provide income of £243,000 next year to meet the costs of our services.

(5.2) Charging housing developers for new waste containers and households for replacement containers: We propose charging housing developers for new waste containers and householders for replacement containers from 2024-25. Charging for the full cost of purchase and delivery for new and replacement bins would save £100,000. Bins that are faulty or damaged through collection won’t incur a replacement charge.

(5.3) Review of charging for adult social care: Linked to the national reform of adult social care funding, we want to look at the charges for adult social care, particularly residents with the ability to pay for their care. This will ensure charges fully reflect our latest costs and are in line with existing policy. We have also reviewed the approach other councils take for charging and believe that we are not charging for the full services provided. This could save around £184,000 over the next two years.

(5.4) Generating income through advertising: The Council will consider extending the opportunities for businesses to advertise on digital screens, bus stations, roundabouts and other public spaces. All locations will comply with road safety and planning legislation, and will be in line with taking a sensitive and ethical approach, with certain adverts prohibited. This could generate a further £180,000 of income over the next two years to support financial pressures.

(5.5) Collecting council tax income more fairly: We propose to provide additional staff to work with residents who are behind on their council tax and agree appropriate plans for repayment. We will also do a further review with customers to check if they are still eligible for single person’s discount or whether their circumstances have changed. Overall, these changes could provide a further income of £510,000 over the next two years to support financial pressures.

(5.6) Council tax premiums for empty homes and second homes: Legislation is being considered to allow councils to charge more council tax at an earlier stage for empty homes and introduce an additional charge for second homes. This could raise additional income. A separate public consultation is taking place on this issue which provides further information and the opportunity to comment. Find out more here. Applying this policy could increase income by £1.5 million.


Further ideas for the future:

To meet future challenges the following are being considered, but work is at an early stage.

(5.7) Housing projects: The Council has successfully delivered its own housing programme over recent years to help meet need in the borough. We are also reviewing if the Council can invest further in housing projects which deliver affordable rents and income to the Council.

(5.8) Income related to low carbon transport: We believe there is scope for greater income to the Council through schemes such as electric vehicle charging and the provision of e-scooters / e-bikes.

We have the ability to raise income by investing in the economy of our borough, investing in housing and charging for services that are currently funded by the Council, where appropriate. New proposals that relate to this theme will reduce our costs by £2.7 million over the next two years and include the following.

Proposals

(5.1) Increasing our income to meet costs in highways and transport: We believe we can recover more income from utilities companies and developers for works which impact the highway. We have also reviewed licence charges for things like signage, alfresco eating and drinking and charges that disrupt bus routes. Overall, these proposals could provide income of £243,000 next year to meet the costs of our services.

(5.2) Charging housing developers for new waste containers and households for replacement containers: We propose charging housing developers for new waste containers and householders for replacement containers from 2024-25. Charging for the full cost of purchase and delivery for new and replacement bins would save £100,000. Bins that are faulty or damaged through collection won’t incur a replacement charge.

(5.3) Review of charging for adult social care: Linked to the national reform of adult social care funding, we want to look at the charges for adult social care, particularly residents with the ability to pay for their care. This will ensure charges fully reflect our latest costs and are in line with existing policy. We have also reviewed the approach other councils take for charging and believe that we are not charging for the full services provided. This could save around £184,000 over the next two years.

(5.4) Generating income through advertising: The Council will consider extending the opportunities for businesses to advertise on digital screens, bus stations, roundabouts and other public spaces. All locations will comply with road safety and planning legislation, and will be in line with taking a sensitive and ethical approach, with certain adverts prohibited. This could generate a further £180,000 of income over the next two years to support financial pressures.

(5.5) Collecting council tax income more fairly: We propose to provide additional staff to work with residents who are behind on their council tax and agree appropriate plans for repayment. We will also do a further review with customers to check if they are still eligible for single person’s discount or whether their circumstances have changed. Overall, these changes could provide a further income of £510,000 over the next two years to support financial pressures.

(5.6) Council tax premiums for empty homes and second homes: Legislation is being considered to allow councils to charge more council tax at an earlier stage for empty homes and introduce an additional charge for second homes. This could raise additional income. A separate public consultation is taking place on this issue which provides further information and the opportunity to comment. Find out more here. Applying this policy could increase income by £1.5 million.


Further ideas for the future:

To meet future challenges the following are being considered, but work is at an early stage.

(5.7) Housing projects: The Council has successfully delivered its own housing programme over recent years to help meet need in the borough. We are also reviewing if the Council can invest further in housing projects which deliver affordable rents and income to the Council.

(5.8) Income related to low carbon transport: We believe there is scope for greater income to the Council through schemes such as electric vehicle charging and the provision of e-scooters / e-bikes.