Issue - meetings

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Registration Services Manager that sought approval to adjust the fees set for ceremony charges in the 2018/19 Council budget.

Members were informed that fees set in the budget process for 2018/19 for registrars service had resulted in a greater increase than in previous years, being a £79 increase on fees charged for wedding and civil partnership ceremonies both at external venues and the Oak Room at Chadderton

Town Hall. Fees set for the Green Room at Chadderton Town Hall had also seen a higher than usual year on year increase.

The resulting feedback from couples, some of which had booked their venue two years in advance, had suggested that the price rise had resulted in difficulties making the payments which were not expected and therefore not budgeted for in their plans, and as such, for some couples, had resulted in hardship.

The service had undertaken some market analysis and a comparison of its

Greater Manchester competitors, along with a review of the current bookings for this financial year. The conclusion reached was that, should the fees remain as set at the start of the financial year, then the service would not be competitive with similar service providers. This may result in a loss of business over the financial year and consequently a loss of income, rather than an in increase in the income generated from ceremonies. It could also have a detrimental effect on external venues, who may lose business if couples chose to hold their ceremonies in other venues in neighbouring authorities to save money.

Options/Alternatives considered

Option 1 – Leave the fees as set in the 2018/19 budget

Option 2 – Change the fees listed, as per the proposals

RESOLVED that:

1.    Wedding ceremony fees be changed to the following:

· Wedding/Civil Partnership ceremonies at external non- religious venues Monday-Thursday £361.00

· Wedding/Civil Partnership ceremonies at external non-religious venues Friday-Saturday £375.00

· Wedding/Civil Partnership ceremonies in the Oak Room at Chadderton Town Hall Monday-Thursday £175

· Wedding/Civil Partnership ceremonies all rooms at Chadderton Town Hall Friday/Saturdays AM £196

· Wedding/Civil Partnership ceremonies all rooms at Chadderton Town Hall Saturdays PM £375.00

· Wedding/Civil Partnership ceremonies in the Green Room at Chadderton Town Hall Monday-Thursdays £110

· Wedding/Civil Partnership ceremonies in the Green Room at Chadderton Town Hall Fridays/Saturday AM £126

·Wedding/Civil Partnership ceremonies in the Green Room at Chadderton Town Hall Fridays and Saturdays £130

2.    That there be no change to fees charged on Sundays and Bank Holidays – all venues charged £421 for wedding/civil partnership ceremony (This also includes Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve)