Issue - meetings

The appendix to this report provides an overview of the council’s performance with respect to its ongoing annual plan actions from 2024-25, key performance indicators, corporate risks, committee risks, and annual governance statement actions.

The appendix to the report provided an overview of the council’s performance with respect to its ongoing annual plan actions from 2024-25, key performance indicators, corporate risks, committee risks, and annual governance statement actions.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Update to report. The Corporate Governance & Strategy Manager informed the Committee that there is an action at the beginning of appendix 1 regarding the implementation of the homelessness and rough sleeper strategy, which has now been completed since the report was published.

b)            Car Park Revenue. A Member of the Committee asked if the contract change regarding app used for car parking payments, still make the use of an app provider the best solution financially for the Council. The Member also asked if different providers have been investigated so we are aligned with other Surrey districts and boroughs. The Corporate Governance & Strategy Manager confirmed that Ringo is still the best solution for both the Council and for users of the Council’s car parks. He explained that despite the contract change, there will be absolutely no change for the users of the app and car parks. He informed the Committee that the Council continues to offer a full range of options across the town centre car parks, of paying cash, card, or Ringo, and there are associated costs with each payment method, from the maintenance of machines, cash collection costs, to credit or debit card transaction fees for Ringo. He raised that the Council does pay a small percentage transaction fee for Ringo, but there are no other associated costs, so it is still the best option.

c)            Debit Card Fees. A Member of the Committee raised that they did not believe there should be transaction fees for debit cards. The Chief Accountant explained that the person using the credit or debit card doesn’t get charged, but the person taking the payment does get charged. The Council are charged firstly by the company processing the debit card payment and then there is also a charge to the acquiring bank, who is getting the money off the person who used their card. Any mention of fees for using debit cards, it is the Council and not the Ringo user who is paying.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note and comment on the performance and risk information located at Appendix 1.