Issue - meetings

To receive an update on the implementation of the Community Infrastructure Levy in Huntingdonshire and to comment on the Huntingdonshire Business Plan 2013/14.

(Copies of the Business Plan have been provided to Members of the Cabinet only).

Approved the Huntingdonshire Infrastructure Business Plan 2013/14; authorised the Assistant Director, Environment, Growth and Planning,  in conjunction with the Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing Strategy, to make any minor amendments necessary to the plan prior to publication on the Council website; approved the banking of CIL receipts during 2013/14 financial year with the exception of funding the Huntingdon West Link Road scheme; requested the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy to liaise with the Heads of Finance and of Legal & Democratic Services to agree a ‘service level agreement’ for utilising on release of any CIL receipts for infrastructure project delivery; and approved the draft Regulation 123 List for public consultation, as outlined in the report now submitted, subject to any minor amendments necessary as authorised by the Assistant Director, Environment, Growth and Planning in conjunction with the Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing Strategy.

Further to Minute No. 12/51 and by means of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were acquainted with progress being made with the implementation of a Community Infrastructure Levy for Huntingdonshire and a proposed Infrastructure Business Plan. The Plan had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

In so doing, Members attention was drawn to the list of infrastructure projects identified within the report and the multi-area projects necessary to deliver the Core Strategy.  Members discussed the classification of projects particularly in relation to education and cemetery provision.  In response to which the Cabinet were advised that the Business Plan identified the infrastructure requirements required to support all growth within the District to 2026. Projects would subsequently be prioritised with funding being targeted to those projects identified as critical.

Having been advised that there would be an annual review of the process, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Huntingdonshire Infrastructure Business Plan 2013/14 be approved;

(b)  that the Assistant Director, Environment, Growth and Planning,  in conjunction with the Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing Strategy, be authorised to make any minor amendments necessary to the plan prior to publication on the Council website;

(c)  that the banking of CIL receipts during 2013/14 financial year be approved with the exception of funding the Huntingdon West Link Road scheme;

(d)  that the Head of Planning and Housing Strategy be requested to liaise with the Heads of Finance and of Legal & Democratic Services to agree a ‘service level agreement’ for utilising on release of any CIL receipts for infrastructure project delivery; and

(e)  that the draft Regulation 123 List for public consultation, as outlined in the report now submitted, be approved subject to any minor amendments necessary as authorised by the Assistant Director, Environment, Growth and Planning in conjunction with the Executive Councillor for Planning and Housing Strategy.

To receive an update on the implementation of the Community Infrastructure Levy in Huntingdonshire and to comment on the Huntingdonshire Infrastructure Business Plan 2013/14 prior to its consideration by the Cabinet.

(Copies of the Business Plan have been provided to Members of the Panel only).

(Members of the Overview & Scrutiny Panels for Social and Environmental Well-Being have been invited to attend for the discussion on this item).

(During the discussion on this item (7.15pm) Councillor S Greenall took his seat at the meeting).

With the assistance of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel received an update on the implementation of the Community Infrastructure Levy in Huntingdonshire and the contents of the Huntingdonshire Infrastructure Business Plan for 2013/14. By way of introduction, the Assistant Director (Environment, Growth and Planning) reminded the Panel that the District Council was in the early stages of the implementation of the Community Infrastructure Levy. The Council was required to produce a Business Plan for 2013/14 which would act as a template for the more significant issues which were likely to arise in future years. Members’ attention was then drawn to a proposed amendment to recommendation (e) that would enable the Assistant Director to approve minor amendments to the Regulation 123 List prior to public consultation.

In considering the contents of the report, a Member enquired about the cost of producing the Business Plan. The Panel was informed that the District Council operated a framework agreement with consultants which meant the Authority could keep costs to a minimum. In addition, the Council was able to recover some of the administrative costs from the CIL fund.

In terms of the list of infrastructure projects identified within the report, Members enquired why reference was made to the Grid at Eaton Socon. In response, the Panel was advised that the Business Plan identified the infrastructure requirements required to support all growth within the District. These would subsequently be prioritised. The Panel was assured that although this project had been identified as critical, it had not been put forward for CIL funding. Members noted that at this point the Huntingdon West Link Road was the only proposed recipient of CIL receipts for 2013/14. As further funding became available, work would be undertaken to identify additional projects for funding.

Comment was made that the list of infrastructure projects did not include any projects that supported the Environment Agency in addressing the potential impact of climate change and the infrastructure deficit in the District’s waterways. Members were informed that the list of projects was based on suggestions by members of the Growth and Infrastructure Group, which included the Environment Agency. It was explained that the Plan was based on infrastructure needs arising from growth and was not intended to fund infrastructure deficits.

The Panel then discussed the governance structure, which had previously been approved by the District Council’s Cabinet. In doing so, Members received an explanation of the process for preparing the Business Plan. The Plan would be submitted to the Cabinet on 21^st March 2013 but, if it was not approved, it would be referred back to the Growth and Infrastructure Group for further consideration.

Further on the subject of the governance structure, the Panel enquired at what point the local community would become involved and reference was made to the previous suggestion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102