Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Culture, Communities and Education and the Director of Regeneration and Culture submitted a report for the Executive’s consideration. The purpose of the report was to seek approval to increase existing entrance fees for Newham Grange Farm, in line with the enhanced facilities and increased programme, and amend the pricing structure for group bookings for the next 3 financial years.

Appendix 1 of the submitted report contained details of the existing and proposed charges increase for the next 3 financial years.

It was considered that the existing charges no longer reflected the true cost of providing the service. The revised charging schedule planned to bring the Council closer in line with that of neighbouring farm/tourist attractions within the Tees Valley and surrounding areas. Newham Grange Farm, however, would still remain significantly cheaper than the closest leisure farm. The comparison farm prices were contained at Appendix 2 of the submitted report.

OPTIONS

Three options had been considered:

1.      not to increase existing fees;

2.      introduce new fees as provided; and

3.      set fees in line with competitor farms.

Option 1 and 3 had been discounted. As stated in the body of the submitted report, fees did not reflect the on-going costs of providing the service and would not have contributed towards delivering the Council’s business imperatives. Equally, setting the fees too high would not have allowed the Council to offer a high quality attraction to some residents in Middlesbrough.

ORDERED

That the increase in, and additional, fees and charges identified (Appendix 1) be approved.

REASON

The level of charges being recommended reflected the costs of delivering the service and brought them more in line with those being charged by other farm attractions within the Tees valley.