Issue - meetings

The report of the Director of Development and Economic Growth is attached.

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Growth, Councillor Edyvean presented the report of the Director – Development and Economic Growth outlining the draft Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Framework Appraisal document and the proposed allocation and spend process.

Councillor Edyvean confirmed that the CIL had now been in force in the Borough for two years, and the proposals being considered had been scrutinised by the Growth and Development Scrutiny Group and approved by Cabinet.  Council noted that the report set out the criteria for using CIL money, together with ways in which the funds could be spent across the Borough and a list of potential projects, details of which were highlighted in the Appendix to the report.  

Councillor Edyvean referred to section 4.12 of the report, which outlined the process for the protocol of spending CIL funds.  Council noted that within the report, reference was made to the additional money, which would be made available to both parished and non-parished areas without a Neighbourhood Plan.  Currently, parishes with a Neighbourhood Plan were allowed 25% of CIL monies collected within their parish, and that money could be used for local projects, within the guidelines of the CIL protocol.  By law, parishes or areas without a Neighbourhood Plan were only allowed to receive 15% of CIL monies

and Council was advised that it was the wish of both the Scrutiny Group and Cabinet that this percentage should be levelled up by giving an additional 10%.   However, it was stressed that the additional 10% would have to be spent locally and within the strategic spend priorities.

In conclusion, Councillor Edyvean referred to comments received from Councillors regarding the importance of ensuring that CIL monies were spent, and Council was advised that parishes without Neighbourhood Plans would be offered support and advice regarding spending the additional funds in a timely manner.  An information pack was being produced and Councillors would also be offered training, to allow them to help their own parishes and communities.  Clerks would be given training, there would also be regular updates at the Town and Parish Forum meetings and finally, there would be annual monitoring, and parishes would be encouraged to spend their CIL monies.

Councillor Moore seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor J Walker referred to the complexity of CIL and recognised the difficulties for officers in dealing with this issue.  Council was informed that the Labour Group supported any scheme, which brought money into local communities and asked that parishes and communities continued to be offered support as they navigated this difficult process.  Councillor Walker concluded by referring to real life problems being caused by inconsistent policies, and in welcoming the progress made through this report, reaffirmed her objections to the overly bureaucratic and complex nature of the process that could see communities not accessing funds.

Councillor Jones confirmed that in supporting the recommendation, the complexity of the issue was acknowledged.  As West Bridgford had no parish council, it was hoped that the consultation would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42