Minutes:
The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 10th October, it had agreed to defer consideration of a report in respect of the departmental fees and charges for the financial year 2014/2015 to enable briefings to be provided to those parties who so wished to receive them. Accordingly, the Committee reconsidered the undernoted report.
“1 Relevant Background Information
1.1 At the special Parks and Leisure Committee on 9 February 2012 the Committee agreed that a concessionary rate of approximately 50% of the full rate would be applied across all activities in relation to over 60s, those on means tested benefits, students and children (up to the age of 17) to streamline the scale of charges and make them easier to understand.
1.2 It was further proposed in reports in June and September 2012 that the Director be given delegated authority to approve a range of measures including promotional offers to increase memberships and discounts for special need schools.
2 Key Issues
2.1 Belfast Castle and Malone House
The economic downturn continues to impact on business at the two venues. They continue to benchmark against the local venues and hotels to ensure that their rates are competitive. The corporate market has been impacted significantly from the reduction in internal council customers and from across the public sector. In response to this many of the room hire fees have been reduced some by up to a third to stimulate this market.
The weddings market is where the business continues to grow and the venues generate approximately 50/35% of their income each year (Belfast Castle/Malone House) in this area. The charge proposed provides a 10-11% increase year on year. Other promotions will also be put in place during the year to help stimulate usage. Committee is asked to note the discount of 50% on normal rates for the Council’s own use.
2.2 Belfast Zoo
It is proposed to:
· Increase admissions by 5% for a summer ticket from £10.50 to £11 Adult; £5.25 to £5.50 for a concession.
· A winter ticket by 4% from £8.20 to £8.50 Adult; £4.10 to £4.25 for a concession.
· A family ticket has been increased by 5% from £28 to £29.50 in summer and from £22 to £23.25 in winter. This is for up to 2 adults and 3 children and represents a 23% decrease on the individual summer price.
It is also proposed to trial an additional price which will include a donation of 5% to a number of relevant conservation groups. This is currently carried out through the provision of ‘donation bins’. This is a less secure method and doesn’t reflect how donations are managed in other similar venues. This will be trialled for a year and a recommendation for the way forward brought back to Committee after review.
The context of adoption packages is subject to a separate report but the proposals are reflected in the proposed fees and charges for 2014/15.
The annual membership packages have also been reviewed and benchmarking data highlights that the average adult membership package in Zoos in UK and Ireland is charged at £55.99. We currently charge £31.50 and we are proposing that we increase our price to £40 in line with the enhanced package. A family membership would move from £85 to £100; the average family membership benchmark is £165. Additional promotion will be required around this and the adoption packages especially for the gifts market.
2.3 Cemeteries/Crematorium
A 10% increase on non residents charge as agreed previously by the Parks and Leisure Committee at its meeting in February 2011 for a four year period has been applied for cremations. It is proposed that for burials a 3% increase is levied for both residents and non-residents.
2.4 Indoor Leisure
At committee in December 2011 the framework for the review of the Boost Discount Scheme within Leisure Services was agreed. The emphasis of the framework is to promote membership rather than casual use and that charges reflect better value for money. There would also be one concessionary scheme instead of four.
2.5 The direct debit memberships have been maintained at £25 per month with a concession rate of £12 per month for the last two years. However in light of the Leisure Transformation Programme it is proposed that an inflationary increase is put in place for 2014/15 to assist in improving the income generated by Leisure Centres. The proposal is £26 full and £13 concessionary rate.
2.6 The majority of the remaining activity prices are increased mainly by inflation and rounding or have been increased to encourage the uptake of membership but are still competitive in relation to other local authorities.
2.7 An exception is for private coaching which incurs a monthly fee for coaches to use our facilities and charges others for example for swimming lessons. There is a high demand for this service and it is proposed to increase this by 17% to £140 per month. There is also a re-registration fee for private coaches who haven’t coached for more than 6 months i.e. £140 charge.
2.8 The charge for the climbing wall classes at Ozone is proposed to increase from £31.50 to £38 per hour due to the increased costs of coaching in this area.
2.9 Family Sessions for a family group for a maximum of five people, with no more than two adults for non-bookable activities only will continue to be promoted and are currently £6.20 to increase to £7 from however this still represents good value for money when compared to other family leisure activities. The new scheme has increased the availability of these sessions and includes access to the gym.
2.10 The weekly holiday schemes provided in leisure have been benchmarked against other neighbouring councils and it is proposed to increase our current £24 per week to £32 per week to cover the increased costs and the provision for under 8s. It is also proposed that there will be a new concessionary rate of £25 to reduce the impact on those on means tested benefits, also Boost members get a discount on these schemes.
2.11 It is proposed to put an inflationary increase on hire charges for main halls due to low demand and artificial pitches (non 3G) due to under use at off peak times. An effective participation campaign and the investigation of possible promotions such as at off peak times will help to stimulate the use of these facilities.
2.12 As part of the Leisure Transformation Programme and the £2m efficiency that the service has to provide; a more in depth look at membership, loyalty and retention is underway. Proposals around Swim and Gym only memberships and class only memberships, as well as memberships where loyalty is rewarded by lower costs the longer you stay are currently being developed and will be consulted on. It is proposed that this will be reported back to Committee before the end of the year.
2.13 Outdoor Leisure
3G Pitches
A benchmarking exercise was undertaken across Belfast and neighbouring areas in light of the new 3G pitch provision within the Department. The current rate of £80 per hour is high in comparison to other schools and community facilities. The department is proposing to, in line with the pitches strategy, review this price and will undertake further consultation and report back to committee in due course. We will also be looking at how a community rate could be facilitated and also identify peak and off peak times to stimulate usage. In the interim it is proposed that we apply peak rates of £80 per hour; peak being definite as 12-2pm each day, 5pm to closure each night and all weekend. All other times will be classified as off peak and will be available for community use at £40 per hour.
2.14 Grass Pitches
It is proposed that for 2014/15 that an inflationary increase only is provided of 3-5% on grass pitches and that a reduction in price for Blanchflower Stadium is agreed to help stimulate usage. At the Parks and Amenities Sub Committee in September 2003 Committee agreed not to permit block bookings at the Stadium given the level of current use of the pitch. It is now proposed that block bookings are facilitated at the site as a trial period for the 2014/15 season (after refurbishment is completed) and is managed by the Park Manger in conjunction with the Open Space and Active Living Manager. A further recommendation after this period will be brought to Committee.
2.16 Outdoor Bowling
The proposal is to increase the cost of the adult season ticket from £31.50 to £32.50 with a concession ticket from £15.80 to £16.30; this includes children and over 60s. All other charges are up by approximately 3-5% including rounding.
2.17 Fees linked to FMAs (non pitch bookings)
Charges are levied by FMA partners for the users of the following sites: COB Golf Course, Mary Peters Track, Orangefield Cycling track and these will be increased in line with inflation of 3%.
2.18 Cricket
It is proposed that the charges associated with Cricket are increased by 3% to cover the costs of maintenance.
2.19 Events
In relation to events the proposal is not to charge for entry to the Spring/Autumn Fairs as the charges were nominal and the administration around collecting the fees was not cost effective. All other activities have increased between 3-4%.
2.20 High Hedges
It is proposed that a report will be provided to committee by December 2013 to update committee on the service and provide recommendations on how the service will operate going forward. This will include recommending the appropriate charging mechanisms.
3 Equality and Good Relations Implications
There are no equality implications in agreeing the 2014/15 scale of charges. The outcome of any current or proposed review of schemes may impact on the scale of charges; however they will be subject to equality screening.
4 Resource Implications
4.1 Financial
(Inflation is currently around 2.7% however for administrative purposes many charges are rounded.)
Currently the impact of the economic downturn is affecting a number of the services and it is hoped that being able to respond with timely promotions will help retain customers and attract new ones. An extensive marketing campaign will be planned to support this approach. Income based on these charges has been provided for in the 2014/15 revenue estimates.
4.2 Human Resources
There are no additional human resource requirements in relation to implementation of the proposed scale of charges.
5. Recommendations
It is recommended that committee adopts the scale of charges for 2014/15, as detailed in the attached appendices, for implementation in April 2014. It is also recommended that committee accepts the proposal to allow block bookings at the Blanchflower Stadium for 2014/15.”
The Director outlined the principal aspects of the report and answered a range of Members’ queries in relation thereto.
Proposal
Moved by Councillor Mac Giolla Mhín,
Seconded by Councillor Beattie,
That the scale of fees and charges for 2014/2015 be adopted, subject to the amendment that no increase be made to cremation charges for Belfast residents.
On a vote by show of hands five Members voted for the proposal and twelve against and it was declared lost.
Proposal
Moved by Councillor Mac Giolla Mhín,
Seconded by Councillor Beattie,
That the scale of fees and charges for 2014/2015 be adopted, subject to the amendment that family membership tickets for the Belfast Zoo be enhanced to admit one additional child.
On a vote by show of hands five Members voted for the proposal and twelve against and it was declared lost.
Proposal
Moved by Councillor Thompson,
Seconded by Councillor Haire,
That the scale of fees and charges as set out within the report be adopted.
On a vote by show of hands twelve Members voted for the proposal and four against it was declared carried.
Community Use of 3G Pitches
Arising from discussion in respect of the foregoing matter, the Committee agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting which would outline the feasibility of establishing a specialised rate for the use of 3G pitches by community-based organisations.
City of Belfast Zoo – Central Government Assistance
In terms of the fees and charges which had been agreed for the Belfast Zoo, a Member pointed out that all of the Political Parties within the Northern Ireland Assembly had agreed to urge the Minister with responsibility for the Environment, Mr. M. H. Durkan, M.L.A., to consider providing funding towards the Exploris aquarium in Portaferry, which was owned and managed by Ards Borough Council, to avert its proposed closure. She indicated that the support of the parties within the Assembly had been based on the view that the aquarium was considered to be a unique facility which was utilised by all of the people of Northern Ireland. As such, she added, it could be proposed that the Belfast Zoo, given its regional importance, might be considered eligible for similar assistance to help the Council to offset its running costs.
After discussion, the Committee agreed that a letter be forwarded to the Minister with responsibility for Tourism within the Northern Ireland Executive, Mrs. A. Foster, M.L.A., requesting that consideration be given to providing central government funding towards the costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the Belfast Zoo.