Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Service Manager (Growth) on the future governance arrangements for the spending of Community Infrastructure Levy receipts.

Executive Councillor: J Neish.

The Cabinet supported the introduction of a new process for the allocation of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding including:

§  The introduction of a new application form and guidance (as outlined in Appendices 2 & 3 of the report now submitted)

§  Delegating authority to the Corporate Director (Place) and the Service Manager (Growth) in consultation with the Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning for the allocation of CIL funding for smaller funding applications in the Local Bids category (£50,000 or less) including those from non-parished areas. Those decisions will be notified to Cabinet twice yearly.

§  Approving the process requiring applications requesting more than £50,000 in the Strategic Bids category to be approved by Cabinet.

A report was submitted by the Service Manager (Growth) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) reviewing and seeking the Cabinet’s agreement on future governance arrangements for the spending of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) receipts.

Having been apprised with the background to the report, the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning reported that the current system was no longer considered best suited to meet the Council’s strategic aims. He then drew attention to Appendix 1 which provided an outline of all options which had been considered.

In welcoming Option 4, where all governance would be undertaken by the Council, the Cabinet expressed their support that this option would be the most appropriate to safeguard the delivery of the Council’s priorities. In noting the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  to support the introduction of a new process for the allocation of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding, including:

(a)  the introduction of a new application form and guidance (as outlined in Appendices 2 & 3 of the report now submitted);

(b)  delegating authority to the Corporate Director (Place) and the Service Manager (Growth) in consultation with the Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning for the allocation of CIL funding for smaller funding applications in the Local Bids category (£50,000 or less) including those from non-parished areas. Those decisions will be notified to Cabinet twice yearly; and

(c)  approving the process requiring applications requesting more than £50,000 in the Strategic Bids category to be approved by Cabinet.

The Panel will receive a report on the Community Infrastructure Levy Governance.

Consideration was given to a report by the Service Manager – Growth (a copy of which has been appended in the Minute Book) to which the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Governance was presented to the Panel.

The Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning introduced the report and informed Members that CIL funding is divided into three pots: ‘meaningful proportion’ for Town and Parish Councils, ‘Strategic’ for infrastructure projects which can unlock growth and a final pot to cover administration costs. It was confirmed that the report covered the ‘strategic’ pot. It was explained that it is proposed all applications seeking funding of £50k or less are to be decided by the Corporate Director (Place) and the Service Manager – Growth in consultation with the Executive Leader and the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning.

Councillor Wakeford asked how equitable the process will be and how are Parishes encouraged to bid. However, in response the Panel was reminded that the process is not entirely equitable as some areas would have greater growth than others and would therefore require additional levy funding.

A comment was made, by Councillor Dew, that the proposed governance arrangements appeared more transparent and that he welcomed them. Councillor Dew added that he was content that some areas would receive more funding than other areas due to receiving more growth and that he agreed with the ethos that the levy funding should be for projects that provide an overall growth benefit for the District.

Councillor Roberts supported the comments made by Councillor Dew and added that he thought it is a well thought out proposal. In addition, after clarification was given, Councillor Roberts was reassured about what projects would classify as an urgent and unforeseen infrastructure requirement.

The Panel raised a concern over monitoring of the governance arrangements but Members were reassured that there will be a full monitoring report presented to Overview and Scrutiny and Cabinet twice a year.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet be recommended to support the introduction of a new process for the allocation of CIL funding.