Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of Planning, Infrastructure & Public Protection inviting the Cabinet to consider recommendations relating to infrastructure projects seeking funding in whole or in part from an amount of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies received to date.

Executive Councillor: T Sanderson

The Cabinet has

(1)  noted the updates on delivery in relation to the projects previously allocated or in receipt of CIL funding commitments (see Appendix 1);

(2)  noted any new allocated CIL projects for £100,000.00 or less approved by delegation on 3^rd October 2025 (see Appendix 2);

(3)  agreed officer recommendations at Paragraph 4.2 to approvefunding for Huntingdon Campus Skills training facility;

(4)  agreed officer recommendations at Paragraph 4.3 to decline funding for Warner’s Park Pavilion, St Ives extension and refurbishment;

(5)  agreed officer recommendations at Paragraph 4.4 to approve a lesser amount offunding for Kimbolton and Stonely Playgrounds;

(6)  agreed officer recommendations at Paragraph 4.5 to approve funding for HDC One Leisure St Ives for a new 3G Pitch;

(7)  agreed officer recommendation at Paragraph 4.6 to approvefunding for Cromwell Museum, Huntingdon expansion project; and

(8)  agreed officer recommendation at Paragraph 4.7 to approvefunding for King George V Pavilion, Huntingdon redevelopment.

Councillor Ferguson took the Chair.

A report by the Head of Planning, Infrastructure & Public Protection was submitted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which invited the Cabinet to consider recommendations relating to infrastructure projects seeking funding in whole or in part from an amount of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies received to date.

The Executive Councillor for Planning – Councillor Sanderson, set out the report and thanked officers for their hard work in assessing all of the necessary detail. It was noted that some of the changes the Cabinet had approved that had now taken place had led to a far smoother application process.

In response to questions from the Cabinet, the Executive Councillor for Planning – Councillor Sanderson, advised that as part of the Local Plan update, a new infrastructure delivery plan was being developed by working with all of the Council’s infrastructure partners and they would continue to have sight of allocations as the Local Plan progresses. There was regular conversation with the IDB, County Councils and Highways England. There was also an infrastructure delivery studied baseline assessment which had been published, and which would be going to a stage 2 assessment to be completed by Spring 2026, as one of the key elements of evidence to support the Local Plan.

To allow for Cabinet Members to vacate the room during the discussion of the applications which they had declared an interest on, the debate and vote on each recommendation was taken in turn.

Recommendations A and B.

The recommendations were noted.

Recommendation C – Huntingdon Campus

The recommendation was approved.

Recommendation D – Warner’s Park Pavillion – St Ives

Councillor Kerr left the meeting.

The Cabinet noted that officers continued to work hard with applicants; it was always disappointing if an applicant got a recommendation for decline but it was pleasing to see that officers worked hard with applicants who had previously been declined. It was hoped that the feedback officers will have given St Ives would be taken as useful feedback.

The recommendation was approved.

Recommendation E – Kimbolton & Stonely Playgrounds

Councillor Kerr rejoined the meeting.

In response to a question from the Cabinet, the Executive Councillor for Planning – Councillor Sanderson, advised that there would be offset from the S106 contributions that would be made which would enable some potential other funding if the Parish Council wished to expand the facilities at a future date. The Executive Councillor for Economy, Regeneration and Housing - Councillor Wakeford also advised that there was not a direct relationship between growth having happened and CIL compensating for that, it was around enabling future growth and development.

The recommendation was approved.

Recommendation G – Cromwell Museum, Huntingdon

Councillor Conboy left the meeting.

The Executive Councillor for Economy, Regeneration and Housing - Councillor Wakeford commented that as Portfolio Holder for the Market Towns project, he had been involved in supporting the museum in previous efforts to be in a position where it could compete for funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel is invited to comment on Officer recommendations c) to h) from the Community Infrastructure Levy Spend Allocation Cabinet report attached.

Executive Councillor: T Sanderson

By means of a report by the Funding Project Manager of Strategic Growth (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), The Community Infrastructure Levy Funding Report was presented to the Panel.

A question was raised regarding the criteria for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) applications. Clarification was sought as to whether the standards had been adjusted, referencing Kimbolton and Stoney Parish Council’s previous attempt which was unsuccessful but has now been approved this round. It was explained that it was not a difference in scoring, instead, feedback was provided to declined applicants and Officers worked closely with them, advising how to make their submissions stronger for their next attempt.

The Chair commented that it was positive the applications were improving and that funds were being allocated as a result of this.

The issue of Huntingdonshire’s CIL still having £35 million available was raised. The Member wondered why St Neots Town Council was being asked to spend £2.5 million to the Priory Centre project in St Neots which had gone over budget when there are still funds available in the Council’s CIL. The Panel heard any CIL funds that are received in the Strategic pot are for the entire District, using Alconbury SEND school as an example of a project that benefits residents outside of Alconbury. It was confirmed that St Neots had six applications and have been successful with gaining funds in the past.

After hearing a question about the Eaton Socon Grid update, the Panel were advised this would be taken away and an answer sought.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) was mentioned. It was questioned if this should be spent to fund infrastructure projects whilst the District is still intact. The Panel heard that there was a review regarding the strategic approach to CIL and LGR, where this issue was being discussed.

It was noted there was a word missing in appendix 1 under Bury Guardroom, it should read ‘To transform the former RAF Guardroom building into a multifunctional SPACE’

It was queried about the location of the project in Appendix 2 and asked if more detail could be added to the address in the future.

Further information was requested about the Monkswood police station, particularly the delays experienced. It was confirmed that there was a review of budget and designs which had halted the project.

Satisfaction was expressed over projects which are now being completed but more detail around when the funding was granted was requested. The Panel heard that this had been included in the report but can be added as its own column in the table.

After a question from the Panel, it was confirmed that the next round of CIL finding will begin 27th October and will close on the 19th December.

Further understanding of the scoring mechanism was requested. It was explained that the scoring is indicative at present, and the decisions were made separately from the score. Attention was drawn to the report which highlights what comes into the scoring process  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38