Regulation 8 Application fee

(1)

This regulation makes provision about the way in which a local authority determines the amount of the application fee for the purposes of paragraph 3(2)(b) of Schedule 3 to the Act.

(2)

The costs to which a local authority must, in determining the amount of the application fee, have regard (in accordance with paragraph 3(3) of Schedule 3 to the Act) include, in particular, costs incurred by the local authority or expected to be incurred by the local authority in connection with applications and the following activities (but not limited to)—

(a)

the receipt, recording and scrutiny of the application,

(b)

undertaking an application interview,

(c)

follow up actions associated with the application interview,

(d)

approving or refusing the application, and

(e)

specifying the officer grade and time associated with each of these functions.

(3)

A local authority must review the level of the fee—

(a)

at the end of the period of 1 year beginning with the day on which these Regulations come into force, and

(b)

at subsequent intervals of no more than 1 year.

(4)

The application fee may not be paid in instalments.

(5)

If after the application fee is paid it becomes apparent that a lesser fee should have been paid, the excess must be refunded.