Charging

Charging in other areas and seeking further advice: Local authority, police and fire authority powers to charge and trade for services can be complex and dependent on local circumstances. This special interest area is intended to act as a guide to the wide ranging powers available and to help APSE member authorities gain information about what other members are doing in this area. Before acting on any information within this website you should seek appropriate legal advice. APSE would also welcome your views comments and case studies. To submit a case study or to contact APSE about charging and trading please email Mo Baines , APSE, Principal Advisor.

Charging in Northern Ireland: Within Northern Ireland there are no similar provisions to those contained in the Local Government Act 2003 or the Localism Act 2011 ( which apply to English local authorities ) applying within Northern Ireland authorities; therefore they must rely upon specific powers to charge in specific areas including the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970

Charging in Wales: Charging provisions in Wales are a mirror image to those that apply within English Authorities. As in England charging powers are not subject to any form of performance categorisation as the power is conferred, as in England, directly to the local authority – it is not like trading whereby the power is conferred by the Welsh Assembly Government. The changes within the Localism Act have not been extended to Welsh Local Authorities.

Charging in Scotland: Local authorities in Scotland can provide services for other public bodies and charge them for this without restriction. They can charge for discretionary services such as leisure and parking.

About charging: Councils in many service areas charge fees, for example for swimming or parking services.