ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
INCREASES TO FEES
Purpose of the Report
The Minister for Economic Development is asked to approve a request to increase the fee charged for the recreational scallop permit for taking a maximum of 24 scallops per day from £15.90 to £16.70.
Background
The Department currently generates income from the administrative work it does on issuing the following licences : (the number issued in 2009)
Fishing vessel licences (165)
Professional scallop diving permits (25)
Fish farm concessions (7)
It also issues the following permits with no charge :
Granville Bay Access Permits (157)
Granville Bay - Zone E permits(10)
Granville Bay - Zone F permits(4)
Beam trawling permits (5)
The Department also issues just one type of licence to amateur or leisure fishermen :
Recreational scallop diving permit (207)
Discussion
In order to support the industry it is proposed to keep all charges relating to licences and permits for professional fishermen and fish farms the same as the 2008 level (the licence fee did not go up at the beginning of 2009).
However, the policy is to increase the leisure element by approximately the cost of living or 2.5% per annum whichever is the lesser. This would suggest we increase the recreational scallop permit from £15.90 to £16.70. The calculation for this is set out below.
RPI Sept 08 to Sept 09 = 2.7%
Sept 07 to Sept 08 = 4.9%
7.6%
7.6% x £15.90 = £17.10
However 2.5% x 2 = 5% (States policy)
5% x £15.90 = £16.70 (which is 2.6% below RPI for the 2 years)
In accordance with Finance Direction No.4.1 Increases in States Fees and Charges, all increases to charges above 2.5% require the approval of the Minister for Treasury and Resources. The Treasurer of the States can approve increases to States charges under his delegated powers, where those increases are non-contentious.
Recommendations
The Minister is recommended to approve the increase to the recreational scallop permit fee from £15.90 to £16.70 and seek the approval of the Treasurer of the States for this increase.
Reason (s) for Decision
To enable Fisheries to increase the fee for a recreational scallop permit in 2010 in line with the Anti-Inflation Strategy agreed by the States.
Action Required
The Minister to request the Treasurer of the States to approve the increase to the fee.
Written by: | Simon Bossy – Head of Fisheries and Marine Resources |
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Approved by: | Andy Scate – CEO Planning and Environment |