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Published Delegated Executive Decisions

Welcome. This system contains information about published delegated executive decisions, including exemptions.

Decision Number: 0058 2018/19

Executive Portfolio:
Collaborative Resources
Decision Number:
0058 2018/19
Exempt / Confidential Item:
No
Ward(s) Affected:
All Wards
Declarations of Interest Received:
None
Title:
Annual Review of Fees and Charges for Registration Services within St Helens 2019/20 & 2020/21.
Summary of Decision:
Review of the current fees and charges for Registration Services in St Helens over two financial years 2019/20 & 2020/21
Proposed Decision:
1. To seek approval to increase a number of fees as outlined in this DED with effect from 1 April 2019 & 1 April 2020 subject to further increases during the financial year if required.
Summary of Reason for Decision:
Using information on the fees in force in neighbouring authorities as a benchmark the proposal will bring the fees in St Helens broadly in line with neighbouring authorities and will take into account inflation since they were last reviewed DED0044 2017/18.
Reason for Decision:
1. Since 1995 local authorities have been able to charge for the attendance of the registrars at marriage ceremonies taking place at approved premises. With effect from December 2005 the Marriages and Civil Partnership (Approved Premises) Regulations 2005 allowed local authorities to set the fees for the attendance of registrars for marriage also civil partnership ceremonies held in approved premises. In St Helens there are currently eleven approved premises were such ceremonies can take place. Fees for the services of a registrar are payable to the local authority. 2. COPR000063 2017/18 introduced a set of fees chargeable for the attendance of the Registrar at a ceremony within the Town Hall, an increase in the fee is applicable within this DED. 3. The following fees to be increased financial year 2019/20: a) Ceremony Room Town Hall civil ceremony fees: Monday to Thursday from £200.00 to £220.00 Friday from £230.00 to £250.00 Saturday from £260.00 to £280.00 b) Council Chamber Town Hall civil ceremony fees: Friday from £400.00 to £420.00 Saturday £450.00 to £470.00 c) Approved Premises civil ceremony fees: Monday to Thursday £340.00 to £360.00 Friday £380.00 to £400.00 Saturday £400.00 to £420.00 Sunday £475.00 to £495.00 Bank Holidays £500.00 - £520.00 d) Naming Ceremonies, Conversion of CP to Marriage or Renewal of Vows Ceremonies (non statutory) Ceremony Room Town Hall: Monday to Thursday £200.00 to £220.00 Friday £230.00 to £250.00 Saturday £260.00 to £280.00 e) Naming Ceremonies, Conversion of CP to Marriage or Renewal of Vows Ceremonies (non statutory) Approved Premises: Monday to Thursday £275.00 to £295.00 Friday £300.00 to £320.00 Saturday £350.00 to £370.00 Sunday £400.00 to £420.00 Bank Holidays £450.00 to £470.00 3. The following fees to be increased financial year 2020/21: a) Ceremony Room Town Hall civil ceremony fees: Monday to Thursday from £220.00 to £240.00 Friday from £250.00 to £270.00 Saturday from £280.00 to £300.00 b) Council Chamber Town Hall civil ceremony fees: Friday from £420.00 to £440.00 Saturday £470.00 to £490.00 c) Approved Premises civil ceremony fees: Monday to Thursday £360.00 to £380.00 Friday £400.00 to £420.00 Saturday £420.00 to £440.00 Sunday £495.00 to £515.00 Bank Holidays £520.00 to £540.00 d) Naming Ceremonies, Conversion of CP to Marriage or Renewal of Vows Ceremonies (non statutory) Ceremony Room Town Hall: Monday to Thursday £220.00 to £240.00 Friday £250.00 to £270.00 Saturday £280.00 to £300.00 e) Naming Ceremonies, Conversion of CP to Marriage or Renewal of Vows Ceremonies (non statutory) Approved Premises: Monday to Thursday £295.00 to £315.00 Friday £320.00 to £340.00 Saturday £370.00 to £390.00 Sunday £420.00 to £440.00 Bank Holidays £470.00 to £490.00 No other locally set fees to increase at this time.
Risks Associated with this Decision:
Celebratory Services using the Town hall building causing wear and tear of the flooring and furniture.
Measures to Redress Risk:
Good marketing of the service. Most couples who opt to have a ceremony in St Helens are likely to pay the fee as is not prohibitive. Fees for certificates are also not prohibitive however the option remains to pay the statutory fee. Take up will be monitored.
Anti Poverty / Human Rights / Agenda 21 Implications:
Attachments:
Please Contact Anne B Atherton - Ext 3391 for more details.