Income from sales, fees and charges is an important source of funds to the council and enables a range of services to be provided.
Alongside the budget principles, there are a series of actions to achieve the principles, which include 'We will seek to generate additional income by reviewing our sales, fees and charges, including those for discretionary services.'
It is important that we have a planned and transparent approach to setting, reviewing, governing and communicating fees and charges for the council.
Sales, Fees and Charges Policy
The principal aim of the Sales, Fees and Charges Policy is to provide a framework for a consistent approach in setting, monitoring and reviewing. It therefore supports medium-term financial planning processes and future budget setting.
The policy is considered by Cabinet in February each year as part of the annual budget setting process.
View the Sales, Fees and Charges Policy on the Democracy Peterborough website (opens PDF).
Charge list
A list of charges is considered by Cabinet in February each year as part of the annual budget setting process.
View the approved fees and charges for 2025/26 on the Democracy Peterborough website (opens PDF).
Legislation
Localism Act 2011, Section 1: gives a general power of competence
Local Government Act 2003 (LGA 2003), Section 93: includes a general power for local authorities in England and Wales to charge for discretionary services. Charges made under this power are limited to cost recovery.
Local Government Act 2003, Section 94: authorises councils to trade commercially through a company and to enter into commercial contracts. Using this provision, local authorities can trade with any person, including non-local authorities and non-public bodies for profit.
Local Government Act 1972, Section 111: states that a local authority shall have power to do anything (whether or not involving the expenditure, borrowing or lending of money or the acquisition or disposal of any property or rights) which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of any of their functions.
Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970: governs the way in which local authorities are allowed to ‘trade’ with other public bodies. It authorises local authorities to enter into agreements with public bodies for the provision of goods, materials and administrative, professional and technical services, for the use of vehicles, plant and apparatus, and for the carrying out of maintenance.
Councils have powers to charge for a wide range of services. Many of these powers derive from legislation that applies to specific service areas, for example:
- Sections 1 and 3 of the Civic Restaurant Act 1947 provide the power to establish and run restaurants and supply meals and refreshments to the public and to charge for these to recover costs
- Section 145 of the Local Government Act 1972 enables authorities to provide and charge for a range of arts and entertainment activities
- Section 19 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 gives the power to provide a range of sport and recreational facilities and to charge or not to charge as they think fit
- Sections 6 of the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949 allows authorities to take action as necessary to remove rats and mice from their area – in fulfilment of their duty under section 2 of the Act – and to recover their reasonable expenses in doing so.