Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Brian Reed, Head of Governance and Democratic Services.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

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Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

No members of the public were present.

To consider a report on the setting of Registration Fees for 2018/19 and Ceremony Fees for 2020/21.

That:

a)              the following ceremony fees be agreed, with the equivalent fees also applying to any Renewal of Vows ceremonies : 

                                                            Recommended Fees

                                                            2020/21

Weekday                                    £550

Sat & Sun                                   £675

Bank Holiday                                         £795

Christmas Day and                     £900

Boxing Day

b)    the Administration fee and second stage payment for ceremonies in 2018/19 be set as follows:

            Approved Premises         - £150 Administration Fee

                                        - £200 second stage payment

   Mayor’s Reception Room  - £150 Administration Fee

   And Silk Room                   - £110 second stage payment

a)    That the fees for ceremonies in the Mayor’s Reception Room and the Silk Room for 2019/20 be set at £275 for weekdays and £350 for Saturdays.

b)    That the fee for licensing a building for Marriage and Civil Partnership be set  at £1800 for 2018/19.

c)     That the fees for the Nationality Checking Service for 2018/19 be set at:

                    Adult - £90; and  Child under 18 - £50

d)    That  the fees for a Private Citizenship ceremony for 2018/19 be retained at:

          Adult £100 weekday;

          Adult £150 weekend;

          Child under 18 – nil

e)    That the fees for copy certificates for 2018/19 be set at:

          Standard Service (5 working days) - £10 statutory fee

          Next day Service – £25 (inc £10 statutory fee for certificate)

          Premium 1 hour service - £45 (inc £10 statutory fee for certificate)

f)      That a policy of one free booking amendment (date, time or venue) be introduced with immediate effect with subsequent changes being charged a fee of £50 per amendment.  This fee to be introduced for the remainder of 2017/18 and for 2018/19. 

g)    That a Celebrant Service be introduced with immediate effect and that the fees for this Service be set at the same level as those agreed for Ceremony Fees as follows for 2017/18 and 2018/19:

                                                  2017/18        2018/19                           

Weekday                          £485             £500                                

Sat & Sun                         £590             £605                                          

Bank Holiday                     £695             £715                                          

          Christmas Day and            £835             £850                                           Boxing Day

The Cabinet Member considered a report on the Registration Fees to be set by Cheshire East Council for the Financial Year 2018/19 and the Ceremony Fees for 2020/21.

The Council is seeking to increase fees across a range of the Registration Service non statutory fees.

In 2009 a full review of the Registration fees was undertaken and since that time fees have been reviewed and determined on an annual basis. In July 2014 a review of ceremony fees was undertaken for the financial years 2014 to 2017.

The majority of fees collected by the registration service are set by central government. The Council has legal authority under legislation to set fees for non statutory services including:

§  Ceremonies at Approved Premises

§  Grant of Approval for Approved Premises

§  Naming Ceremonies

§  Renewal of Vows Ceremonies

§  Nationality Checking Service

§  Private Citizenship Ceremonies

§  Administration Fee for booking ceremonies

§  On demand certificate service

The specific power to levy fees for Approved Premises is set out in the Marriages (Approved Premises) Regulations 2011. These state that local authorities may charge an amount determined by the authority as reasonably representing all the costs incurred by it of providing a registrar and superintendent registrar to attend at a solemnization. It is therefore incumbent on the Council to ensure that an assessment of all the costs incurred at a solemnization are made and that the charges levied do not exceed this amount in order to comply with the Regulations.    

There is a specific power to charge under section 93 of the Local Government Act 2003, which gives relevant authorities the power to charge for discretionary services. Further the general power of competence contained in the Localism Act 2011 now sits alongside a local authority’s power to trade and charge. In common with  the LGA 2003 powers, charging for things done in the exercise of the general power of competence is not a power to make a profit from those activities (unless the local authority specifically sets up a company to trade).

RESOLVED

That:

a)            the following ceremony fees be agreed, with the equivalent fees also applying to any Renewal of Vows ceremonies : 

                                                                        Recommended Fees

                                                                        2020/21

Weekday                                           £550

Sat & Sun                                          £675

Bank Holiday                                                £795

Christmas Day and             £900

Boxing Day

b)    the Administration fee and second stage payment for ceremonies in 2018/19 be set as follows:

              Approved Premises           - £150 Administration Fee

                                                - £200 second stage payment

   Mayor’s Reception Room  - £150 Administration Fee

   And Silk Room                   - £110 second stage payment

a)    That the fees for ceremonies in the Mayor’s Reception Room and the Silk Room for 2019/20 be set at £275 for weekdays and £350 for Saturdays.

b)    That the fee for licensing a building for Marriage and Civil Partnership be set  at £1800 for 2018/19.

c)    That the fees for the Nationality Checking Service for 2018/19 be set at:

                        Adult - £90; and  Child under 18 - £50

d)    That  the fees for a Private Citizenship ceremony for 2018/19  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.