Changes to licence fees and charges

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has recently reviewed all of its fees and charges for the services it provides.  Some of these are set by central Government but in other cases the District Council has the authority to set an appropriate fee.  

As a result of the review the District Council's Executive has agreed to adjust those fees and charges which it is authorised to do, so that the cost of the service provided is covered by the fees.  

Those most affected by these charges will be businesses and individuals requiring a licence and particularly licences relating to vehicles such as Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licences.  

"It is important that the District Council recovers its costs for issuing licences and up to now this has not happened; consequently we currently have a deficit in the region of £25,000.  We have a legal and moral obligation to make the service cost neutral, so in order to bring our fees and charges in line with Government's expectations we have reviewed our current situation," says Councillor Simon Jackson, Portfolio Holder for Environment.  

"We want a fair system and do not want to inadvertently subsidise a business sector as this would be unfair to other small businesses that have significant overheads to pay.  

"These fee changes are currently subject to consultation and anyone affected can make a comment to the District Council.  All comments will be considered before the final fee setting and all changes set now will remain in force until 2009."  

If you do have any comments to make please put them in writing addressed to Robert Weeks, Head of Environment at the District Council Offices, Stratford-upon-Avon.