Agenda item

The report of the Executive Manager - Communities

The Principal Policy Planning Officer delivered a presentation as a supplement to the report on the Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which came into force on 7 October 2019.

The Principal Policy Planning Officer provided the Group with background information that supports the adoption of CIL explaining how the Levy is calculated and supporting infrastructure evidence and financial liability. He explained that the levy was developed alongside the preparation of Local Plan Part 2 and that there had been two stages of consultation and examination in public conducted by an independent person. In addition, the Principal Policy Planning Officer informed the Group that the Introduction of CIL had recently been considered by the Local Development Framework Group and subsequently  approved by Council on 19 September 2019.

The Planning Technician Officer provided examples and percentages on where collected CIL receipts would be spent as follows:

·         5% of CIL collected retained for administration purposes

·         15%-25% of CIL receipts collected within parished areas passed on to relevant Parish Councils

·         15%-25% of CIL receipts collected within unparished areas spent by the Borough Council in consultation with local community

·         Remaining receipts to be spent on specified strategic infrastructure as defined in a specific list

In addition, the Planning Technician Officer provided examples of what the Council would expect to receive from CIL contributions using residential examples for each pricing zone and an example of expected contributions for retail development.

In concluding his report, the Principal Policy Planning officer provided the Group with an estimation of receipts explaining that evidence supporting the Draft Charging Schedule suggests the Council would collect up to £13m over the period 2019-2028. However, it is not likely that the Council will see any significant receipts generated for 2-3 years as planning permission and commencement of development catch up.

The Group considered the information Officers had provided and asked specific questions relating to the boundaries for the charging schedule zones and whether these could be altered, as some parishes were split by old ward boundaries, which do not reflect the current market.  The Principal Policy Planning Officer explained that the work prior to the CIL being adopted, was commissioned in 2015 using the ward boundaries at that time. He added that to change the charging schedule at this stage would require a further consultation period.

The Group questioned why those parishes who have adopted a Neighbourhood Plan should receive a higher percentage than those who have no Plan in place and what the Council could do to assist with the shortfall in the meantime. The Executive Manager explained that currently parishes receive very little and smaller developments seen across parts of the Borough have not had to pay anything by way of Section 106 money. The Council was investigating how all areas of the Borough could benefit from 25% of future CIL proceeds not just those areas that have adopted a Neighbourhood Plan. The group were also advised that now CIL was in place the majority of all developments would be contributing as opposed to just those that are subject to a Section 106 Agreement.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)    The Group note the content of the report and presentation

b)    The income from CIL receipts are reported to Growth and Development Scrutiny at a later date in the Work Programme

c)    An annual Infrastructure Statement is provided for the Group to consider