Agenda item

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods in relation to proposed changes to the fees and charges for the Shopmobility service.

14.1   The Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, Councillor Jennie Watkins, introduced the report regarding a proposal for a new fees and charges structure for the city’s Shopmobility service.

14.2    She highlighted that the report would be considered by the Cabinet and that, whilst there was initial feedback, this was not complete as the consultation had recently closed. Councillor Watkins stated that there had previously been concerns about charging but that fees and charges had not been reviewed in five years. In that period, a proposed transfer of the service to the third sector had not gone ahead.

14.3    Since the service had moved after the Together Gloucester restructure, the Visitor Experience Manager began a review of Shopmobility and had suggested changing the charging structure in order to strengthen its financial position. It was held that the provision of such a non-statutory service at the rate it was being charged at would be difficult to justify.

14.4    Councillor Watkins advised that a questionnaire which contained the possible changes formed part of the consultation and the public had had the option to communicate directly with the Visitor Experience team. With regard to the questionnaires, 110 were completed by members. Of these, 71% indicated that they would continue to use the service at the proposed rates while 18% indicated that they would be less likely to continue using the service.

14.5    Of the non-members who responded, 75% indicated that they would continue to use it at the proposed revised rates and 20% indicated they would use it less. Councillor Watkins also highlighted that, compared to some other authorities, Gloucester was relatively inexpensive. By way of example, she stated that the average annual cost for a Shopmobility user was £94.

14.6    Councillor Watkins stated that it was necessary to put the service in a good position in order to maintain it as a quality service. Comment by the Committee was subsequently invited.

14.7    Councillor Wilson enquired as to whether the annual membership fee was paid as one payment and if so, was there the possibility that the annual fee be increased and paid monthly. Councillor Watkins stated that, while she would not rule out such a proposal, she understood there to be a costs implication to collect fees more regularly. She further advised that many had chosen to pay a daily fee also and that this had worked well.

14.8    While Councillor Hampson sought confirmation of the sample size, Councillor Watkins stated that, as had already been stated due to the recent close of the consultation, feedback from other organisations had not yet been given. She advised that the full results of the consultation would be circulated to Members. She further advised that, in response to a query from Councillor Hampson on whether any work had been conducted to assess any impact on vulnerable people, a full People Impact Assessment (PIA) had been undertaken and would be circulated to Members. Further, she brought to the Committee’s attention that a number of users of the service were in receipt of Personal Independence Payments (PIP), an element of which was to fund mobility.

14.9    Having examined the comparison of charges with regard to other local authorities, Councillor Ryall noted that where Shopmobility was operated by the third sector, charges were greater. She suggested that were the third sector to run Shopmobility in Gloucester, charges would increase for service users.

14.10  Councillor Watkins stated that different areas operated within different structures and that the Council was considering other revenue streams. She further stated that it may be that the Council would always have to be involved.

14.11  Councillor Pullen highlighted the decrease in membership number and queried whether it would be more advantageous to actively promote membership of the scheme. The Corporate Director, Jonathan Lund, advised that the proposed changes would creating a pricing structure which would incentivise  membership and Councillor Watkins advised that many individuals were happy to pay a ‘per use’ fee.

14.12  Councillor Hilton noted that the scheme provided parking at no charge and queried whether this would be maintained were the proposed changes to take effect. Councillor Watkins advised that there were no plans to revise this.

14.13  Councillor Hilton continued and suggested that, while transferring the service to the charity sector should be looked at, it would be preferable for it to remain as part of the Council as a charity might find it difficult to keep costs low.

14.14  Councillor Melvin stated that the service’s continued existence should be celebrated having helped some of the most vulnerable people. She further stated that, not only had it had a positive social impact on the City but a positive economic impact had been achieved also with residents who would not usually be able to enter the City Centre take advantage of the City’s offer.

14.15  RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the report.