Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Strategic Growth Manager seeking agreement on the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2020/21 and providing an update on infrastructure delivery during this time.

Executive Councillor: J Neish.

The Cabinet has:

(a)  approved the statement on the infrastructure projects or types of infrastructure which the Council intends will be, or may be, wholly or partly funded by CIL as stated in para 2.5 in the Infrastructure Funding Report;

(b)  delegated authority to the Strategic Growth Manager in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning, to make any final amendments to the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS), if necessary, prior to publication; and

(c)  noted the infrastructure delivery and made comment on the report as necessary.

Consideration was given to a report prepared by the Strategic Growth Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking agreement on the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2020/2021, an update on infrastructure delivery during this time and agreement to the statement required in relation to projects that will or may be, wholly or partly, funded by Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

By way of background, the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning reported that there was a requirement to publish an annual Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) which would include an Infrastructure List, a CIL report and a S106 report in relation to planning obligations. Having acknowledged the positive work arising from CIL funding over the year, it was confirmed that efforts would be made by the Council’s Communications Team to more effectively publicise this work, in particular, individual projects.

In response to questions from the Executive Councillor for Strategic Finance, it was confirmed that the funding available was that as reflected within the Council’s accounts and that all contributors had paid to date. In response to a further question relating to the ongoing maintenance costs of schemes relating to green and open spaces and otter holts, the Managing Director confirmed that they were pre-negotiated as part of the scheme and that the District Council would not be picking up any extra costs.

Having been acquainted with the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  to approve the statement on the infrastructure projects or types of infrastructure which the Council intends will be, or may be, wholly or partly funded by Community Infrastructure Levy as stated in para 2.5 in the Infrastructure Funding Report now submitted;

(b)  to delegate authority to the Strategic Growth Manager in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning, to make any final amendments to the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS), if necessary, prior to publication; and

(c)  to note the infrastructure delivery and made comment on the report as necessary.

The Panel is invited to comment on the Infrastructure Funding Statement.

By means of a report by the Service Manager Growth (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Infrastructure Funding Statement was presented to the Panel.

Councillor Roberts praised the report and expressed particular satisfaction that the progress delivery could be tracked. This sentiment was echoed by Councillor Corney, who agreed that the report did a good job of collating the information.

Councillor Sanderson commented that it was pleasing to see a variety of projects of varying sizes and spread throughout the district.

Following a question by Councillor Sanderson, the Panel were advised that the application process was available on the Council’s website and that the application process was communicated to Town and Parish Councils.

Councillor Dew commented on a well presented report and reiterated that it was pleasing to see a variety of projects throughout the district.

Having welcomed the report, the Panel thereupon

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be encouraged to endorse the recommendations contained within the report.