Torbay Council has an approved Income Strategy for 2010/11 and future years. It sets out 'guiding principle'" for the the Council - officers and members to consider when setting the levels of fees and charges for services.
The setting of charges and the consideration of the range and type of services to be charged for is a key tool or the Council to use in meeting its objectives. The Council can., for example" decrease or increase charges to change the demand for a service to meet Council objectives.
An Income Strategy template has been included in the 2010/11 budget setting reports to inform the fees and charges proposed for 2010/11.
In addition to this Strategy additional guidance for both officers has been compiled to help officer and members in their consideration of fees and charges
Audit Commission
The Audit Commission has produced an informative publication on this subject - "Positively Charged 
" and has included a number of useful links to further information that will be helpful to officers.
" and has included a number of useful links to further information that will be helpful to officers.Summary
Local councils in England have legal powers to charge for a wide range of services, such as car parking, sports and leisure, domiciliary care, building control, pest control, and the hiring of community halls. Charging revenue is an important source of income for local councils, with over a quarter of councils generating more income through charging than they do from council tax.
Charging income is increasingly being used to help fund the modernisation and improvement of services. Charges can also help councils to manage demand for services or to achieve wider strategic objectives, such as encouraging healthier lifestyles through the use of sports and leisure facilities.
Audit Commission study
The Audit Commission carried out research in 2007 investigating the approaches councils take to charging for local services. The study resulted in the publication in January 2008 of a national report, Positively charged: Maximising the benefits of local public service charges, together with a suite of tools, to help councils improve their use of charges.
National report
Positively charged examines the contribution made by charging to council finances, and how decisions on charging can support other strategic objectives for local government. The report concludes that although charging provides £11 billion a year to local government funds, it receives far less attention than it deserves. Most councils believe that they do not use charging to its full potential. The report discusses how councils can improve their approach and communicate better with councillors and the general public about the purposes of charging. It also provides a number of case studies demonstrating notable practice.
Charging directory
During our research the Audit Commission found many councils eager for illustrations and examples of how other councils are using charging. the Audit Commission invited councils to submit information about how they use charges, and have compiled the examples they provided in our charging directory. The directory contains over 50 examples from a range of councils.
Household charges calculator
The calculator is an Excel-based tool designed to support councils in examining the current financial impact of charges on local households. Councils can enter information about households, their levels of service use and the charges they pay. The calculator will then show the impact on household finances of both charging and council tax. The calculator allows councils to compare different households with different patterns of service use. It also allows councils to compare the impact of their own local charges with those of other councils in relation to similar households, and to assess the potential impact of different charging structures.
Charging income comparison tool
The charging income comparison web-based tool will help councils compare the income they generate from charges with that of other councils, and consider whether it is consistent with their strategic objectives. It will support councils in analysing the extent to which their decisions on charges and subsidies are supporting council policies.
will help councils compare the income they generate from charges with that of other councils, and consider whether it is consistent with their strategic objectives. It will support councils in analysing the extent to which their decisions on charges and subsidies are supporting council policies.Other resources
As part of the charging study, Ipsos MORI was commissioned to carry out research with the general public into their attitudes and experiences of council charges. Their report describes this research and its outcomes.
Get the full study
Download the full national study in PDF format below. This study contains all of the Audit Commission's findings and recommendations.
Related Documents
All documents open in a new window. Need more help with documents? View the Document Help page.
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Income Strategy 2010 - 2011
The management of income, including fees and charges, should be a key part of a Council’s budget and business planning processes.
Last updated: 14/12/2009, 11:42am (145 KB) -
Income Strategy Guidance for Managers
Additional guidance to help officer and members in their consideration of fees and charges.
Last updated: 14/12/2009, 11:42am (91 KB) -
Positively Charged: Charging Directory
This charging directory has been developed as part of a national study by the Audit Commission into the use councils are making of their powers to charge for local public services.
Last updated: 14/12/2009, 11:42am (888 KB) -
Household Charges Calculator
This calculator is an Excel-based tool designed to support councils in examining the current financial impact of charges on local households.
Last updated: 14/12/2009, 11:42am (269 KB) -
Charging for Local Services: Key findings from research conducted on behalf of the Audit Commission
Research with the general public into their attitudes and experiences of council charges.
Last updated: 14/12/2009, 11:42am (875 KB) -
Positively Charged: Summary
Maximising the benefits of local public service charges.
Last updated: 14/12/2009, 11:42am (41 KB) -
Positively Charged: Full Report
Maximising the benefits of local public service charges.
Last updated: 14/12/2009, 11:42am (289 KB) -
Positively Charged: Technical Appendices
This publication contains technical appendices referred to in the report.
Last updated: 14/12/2009, 11:42am (99 KB)
Related Websites
Contact Financial Services
- Tel: 01803 207285
- Email: financial.services@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: 01803 207492
