TORBAY SET TO BECOME A 'RYANAIR' COUNCIL?

11.06.31am GMT Tue 8th Dec 2009

Concerns have been raised that a report being discussed at Torbay Council's Cabinet tonight (Tuesday 8th December) could lead to the Council being modelled on the airline Ryanair. This could result in council taxpayers having to pay increased charges on top of their council tax for certain services.

A charge that could be introduced, for example, is an administrative fee for disabled parking badges.

Conservative Mayor Nick Bye is set to decide whether to adopt the report on 'Income Strategy 2010/11' at tonight's meeting. The report outlines the 'Guiding Principles' for fees and charges.

The appendix to the report says that, "A more sophisticated charging approach to our overall management of resources will also allow customers to have more active choice in the level of service they require and pay for where charged apply. The development of local government legislation has given Councils powers to raise charges for the delivery of discretionary services."

Commenting on the report, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Torbay Council Steve Darling said, "The move to a 'Ryanair' style Council will mean that council tax payers will get a basic service, and that they will have to pay extra for other services. Local residents who are on low or fixed incomes will be hit hardest and will only get a 'basic' service from the council. "