NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERVICE

CORPORATE DIRECTOR’S MEETING WITH EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

18^th October 2022

Outdoor Learning Service – Fees and Charges for September 2023 to August 2024

This report contains exempt information as described in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) and it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1 To gain approval of a fees and charges structure for Outdoor Learning for September 2023 to August 2024

2.0 BACKGROUND

2.1 In line with the Council’s financial regulations, approval for fees and charges is a Key Decision.

2.2 Outdoor Learning is required to publish fees and charges for the following school year in order to open to bookings for residential clients, and to publish a calendar of training courses.

3.0 ISSUES

3.1 Bookings should be opened and confirmed in the autumn term, with under occupancy data being made available in January in order to market and secure further bookings.

3.2 A large proportion of schools are long-standing clients. Terms and conditions have recently been updated in conjunction with Legal Services. This ensures that confirmation regarding booking details is clear to customers with precise deadlines for deposits, balances and expected communication relating to changes to booking details.

3.3 Fees and charges are currently determined on an academic year basis. Fees and charges have been calculated with the following factors in place;

· Occupancy across all residential, day provision and training courses achieves levels calculated in the business case data modelling.

· Full-cost recovery of the service operating budget is achieved (excluding Educational Visits SLA costs and income)

· Surplus margins are set for each delegate place.

3.4 Inflation has been added by using the Office of National Statistics Consumer Price Index. Where possible specific categories have been used, or pay calculated according to current pay awards. Where no category is applicable the standard current inflation (September 2022) rate of 9.9% has been applied.

3.5 Data from the trial seasonal pricing is not conclusive at this stage. The number of pupils attending in the low season of 22-23 has decreased in comparison to 19-20. Current patterns however could still be impacted as a result of Covid (e.g. Covid measures required during winter, as well as schools adjusting traditional booking patterns in order to accommodate year groups who have missed out on earlier visits and are at the end of their school year e.g. Year 6).

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

3.6 Fees and charges have been calculated by determining an apportionment of the overall budget according to operational requirements (central administration, teaching, facilities, property and transport).

3.7 The increased composite inflation rates is due to the current individual inflation rates for the Council for fuel oil, electricity and vehicle fuel & oil.

3.8 Forecast outturn is based on minimum course delegate numbers being achieved for all courses and occupancy as detailed in the business case modelling.

3.9 All other costings are priced to ensure full-cost recovery based on achieving modelled occupancy figures or courses delivered.

3.10 Fees and charges are increased by at least current inflation in line with the Council Constitution and Financial Regulations, or there is a valid commercial reason to not increase fees by inflation.

4.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

4.1 There are no known legal implications.

5.0 REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Setting fees and charges in line with base budget and a composite inflation increase accounts for the varying increases in utility bills and other costs. It should ensure, if occupancy targets are met, surplus in line with the business case modelling.

7.0       RECOMMENDATION

7.1       To approve fees as detailed in the confidential appendix.

STUART CARLTON

CORPORATE DIRECTOR – CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERVICE

Adrian Clarke

Principal Education Adviser (Support)

Consulted        ……………………………………………..Executive Member

Date:               ……………………………………………..

Consulted        ……………………………………………..Executive Member

Date:               ……………………………………………..

Agreed:           ……………………………………………..Corporate Director

Date:               ……………………………………………..