Issue - meetings

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel is invited to comment on the Infrastructure Funding Statement Report.

Executive Councillor: T Sanderson

By means of a report by the Chief Planning Officer (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book) the Infrastructure Funding Statement was presented to the Panel.

Following a question from Councillor Pickering regarding monies allocated to the Loves Farm development, it was clarified to the Panel that all monies were allocated to projects. It was further noted that the NHS and Allotments projects were outstanding and in addition that the allotments project related to the second phase of development. It was requested that a more detailed breakdown of these funds be provided to Councillor Pickering within the next week.

Councillor Gardener queried money allocated to a project in Spaldwick and whether or not this had received planning permission ahead of the funding decision. The Panel heard that details would be circulated to Councillor Gardener after further investigation.

Further to questions from Councillors Harvey and Gleadow, the Panel heard that the in kind payments referenced would be projects which would deliver infrastructure or other beneficial schemes in place of cash payments to the benefit of local residents.

In response to a question from Councillor Wells, the Panel heard that Cambridgeshire County Council, as signatories in their own right within many S106 legal agreements, were not required to provide S106 figures to the District Council but, under the legislation, were required to publish their own statement on their website. Members would be able to view this direct once published by Cambridgeshire County Council.

Following a question from Councillor Slade, the Panel were advised that dates mentioned on page 43 of the agenda pack illustrated when funding was allocated to projects and that whilst end dates would be specified within project contract details, there was not requirement on the Council as the Charging Authority to spend the funds within a given timescale.

In response to questions from Councillors Pickering and Harvey relating to CIL receipts, the Panel heard that the majority of the money as highlighted on page 39 of the agenda pack was accounted for by virtue of being allocated to projects, however a further CIL funding round was currently ongoing which would deal with some of the surplus funds.

Following the discussion, it was

RESOLVED

that the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel be passed to Cabinet for their consideration when making a decision upon the recommendations contained within the report.