Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2021 were approved as a true record and signed by the Vice Chairman.

The Planning Contributions Officer delivered a presentation to update members on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) adopted by the Council on 7 October 2019 and reminded members that the levy is a charge applied to certain types of development to help fund infrastructure across the Borough, as set out in the Council’s published Infrastructure List.

The Planning Contributions Officer provided a recap and explained the levy is intended to address the cumulative effect of development across the Borough. CIL is a fixed-rate charge based on floor space and is charged on retail and residential developments at rates set out in the published Charging Schedule. The adoption of CIL was supported by infrastructure evidence, financial viability evidence alongside Local Plan Part 2.

The Planning Contributions Officer provided a CIL funding overview, explaining that a consultation had been undertaken with key providers of infrastructure types to determine CIL spend priorities, the next step being for officers to assess the identified projects against a Framework Appraisal document and report back to Cabinet to agree a spending programme. Members were advised that the CIL collected to date amounts to £1.1m.

The infrastructure list is as follows:

·       Secondary school places across the Borough through new provision or extension to existing provision

·       Park and Ride along the A52 corridor and bus priority measures in West Bridgford

·       Indoor leisure provision or improvements to existing provision

·       Health facilities across the Borough through new provision or extension to existing provision

·       Playing pitches and ancillary facilities provision or improvements

The Planning Contributions Officer highlighted the main criteria and considerations of the Framework Appraisal document including:

·       Justification – why the project is required, demonstrating need, suitability and due regard to alternatives

·       Strategic Benefits – links to existing and emerging plans/strategies and Corporate objectives

·       Funding – Amount of CIL required/requested, cost of project, other available funding sources

·       Deliverability – approvals/consents required, timescales and potential impediments to delivery

The Planning Contributions Officer continued to explain the Neighbourhood proportions of CIL funds informing members that under the CIL regulation 59A, the Borough Council has to pass a proportion of levy receipts to the Town and Parish Councils, at 15%capped, or 25% where covered by a Neighbourhood Plan. However, the Planning Contributions Officer added that there is a desire to make an additional proportion of the strategic CIL available to areas with no neighbourhood Plan, to provide a consistent level of local funding across the Borough. Members noted that the Neighbourhood proportion is not limited to items within the Infrastructure list and can be spent on a wider range of projects, provided they address the demands that a new development places on that area.

The Planning Contributions Officer advised members of the legislative restrictions and that the Borough Council will be directly responsible for the allocation of Strategic CIL that is made available to Town and Parish Council’s. Town and Parish Council’s will be required to submit bids for any additional funding through a formal process and such requests need to fall within the narrower  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Service Manager – Economic Growth and Property delivered a presentation to update members on the Covid 19 Business Recovery, providing members with data across the D2N2 authorities, including Furlough and self-employment claims, unemployment claims, job vacancies and business closures, as reported in June 2021.

The Service Manager – Economic Growth and Property explained that Furlough and self-employment claims have been decreasing since January 2021 and unemployment has also maintained a steady decline. The latest job vacancy figures showed a 40% growth compared to the same time last year, these were mainly in the health and social care sectors as well as business, technology and administration. In respect of the impact of Covid 19 on businesses predictions state that the economy is not expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels before 2022. The Service Manager – Economic Growth and Property advised that the data will continue to be monitored to look for trends and any ongoing impact of the pandemic.

The Economic Growth Officer continued the presentation providing members with information relating to the health of the Borough’s High Streets, including Bingham, Cotgrave, East Leake, Keyworth, Radcliffe on Trent, Ruddington and West Bridgford. It was reported that as of the end of August 2021, there were 10 vacant premises and 5 businesses either being developed or the business being for sale but still operating within the 7 main towns and villages across the Borough. Footfall was also measured 3 times in a day and from the same location in each town/village during January, April and August 2021. The Economic Growth Officer reported that footfall had increased since the lockdown restrictions were lifted earlier in the year, and then again most saw an increase between April and August with the exception of East Leake and Radcliffe on Trent, who showed a reduction. 

The Economic Growth Officer provided the Group with information on the progress of ongoing work being carried out by the Economic Growth team and the collaborative work with Rushcliffe Business Partnership, including virtual networking sessions and the first in person event at Trent Bridge Cricket Club on 24 September 2021. In addition, the Group were reminded  that a dedicated Covid-19 business support webpage had been created which so far has attracted around 40,000 views, providing assistance with business rate grants totalling over £35.3 million between April 2020 to May 2021.

The Economic Growth Officer advised that after the initial lockdown and using Reopening High Streets Safely Funding (RHSSF), officers delivered a number of initiatives including successful communication campaigns targeting local businesses, these included the Eat Out to Help Out, a Government led initiative, We Are Open and more recently Shop Local Shop Safe. Two consultants funded by RHSSF were employed to provide expert advice and support by way of webinars and one to one business support. In addition, the Council appointed High Street Ambassadors to support the reopening of the Boroughs high streets providing a visible presence to reassure the public and in November/December 2020 the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

It was RESOLVED that the Group consider its Work Programme and that the following items for scrutiny were agreed.

19 January 2022

·       Tree Conservation

·       Work Programme

20 April 2022

·       Planning Communications

·       Cycling Networks in the Borough – Part 2

·       Work Programme

ACTIONS – 13 October 2021