Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on the consultation responses received on the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule.

Approved the contents of the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy – Preliminary Draft Levy Charging Schedule for a four-week statutory consultation in November/December 2011. Authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing, to make any necessary amendments to the document following advice received from the Department of Communities and Local Government and to make any minor amendments following the statutory consultation to prepare the document for submission for Examination.

Further to Minute No. 11/18, the Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) outlining the responses received to the consultation on the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – Preliminary Draft Levy Charging Schedule and suggested amendments to the Schedule as a consequence thereof.

Members were reminded that the new scheme would put the Council in a more powerful position with regard to influencing where money from the CIL is spent. However, it would bring with it additional responsibilities including the establishment of an appropriate policy outlining the charges to be imposed, the process to be employed and monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure sound governance arrangements.

The responses had been discussed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) arising from which the Panel were reassured that the Charging Schedule would be subject to an examination in public to ascertain whether it is sound, prior to its adoption in Spring 2012.

Having been advised that the final document would require to be reformatted in accordance with advice received from the Department of Communities and Local Government, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy - Draft Charging Schedule be approved for a four week statutory consultation period in November/December 2011;

(b)  that prior to the statutory consultation, the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing, to make any necessary amendments to the Huntingdonshire Community Infrastructure Levy – Draft Charging Schedule following advice received from the Department of Communities and Local Government; and

(c)  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing, to make any minor amendments following the statutory consultation to prepare the document for submission for Examination.