Issue - meetings

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel is invited to comment on Officer recommendations 1) to 4) from the Community Infrastructure Levy Spend Allocation Cabinet report attached.

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.

The Chair sought clarification on how CIL performance was monitored and whether any key performance indicators were in place. Officers explained that performance was monitored through service targets relating to the collection of CIL receipts, response times to enquiries, assessment of applications and statutory reporting requirements. Whilst no specific CIL KPIs existed, performance was measured through officer objectives and wider Planning Service reporting.

In response to questions regarding demand for funding, Officers confirmed that information on the number of CIL enquiries received between funding rounds could be circulated following the meeting. It was noted that the latest funding round had been launched within a relatively short timeframe, which may have affected the number of submissions received. To address this, future funding rounds had now been scheduled in advance to provide greater certainty for applicants.

Members sought assurance that smaller Parish Councils and community organisations were not disadvantaged compared with larger organisations when applying for funding. Officers explained that all applicants receive the same level of support through the enquiry process, including detailed feedback on their proposals, assessment against the Statement of Intent, identification of potential weaknesses and advice on additional funding opportunities. Officers emphasised that support is available to organisations of all sizes, from parish councils and sports clubs to the NHS and County Council.

Officers further advised that, as part of the pre-application process, they regularly direct potential applicants towards alternative grant funding streams and appropriate council services where projects may not meet the criteria for Strategic CIL funding.

Members discussed the relationship between the Local Plan, infrastructure requirements and future CIL commitments. Officers explained that future infrastructure needs identified through the Local Plan are considered alongside annual reporting through the Infrastructure Funding Statement, which records CIL and S106 receipts, expenditure and strategic infrastructure commitments.

Questions were raised regarding the collection of CIL payments from developers. Officers outlined the process whereby invoices are issued following commencement of development and confirmed that payment compliance rates were generally high, with only occasional instances requiring further enforcement action.

The Panel considered the delegated authority decisions included within the report and requested additional information regarding the rationale for approvals and refusals. Officers acknowledged that previous reports had included more detail and agreed to consider reinstating this information in future reporting.

Concerns were raised regarding transparency and requested greater visibility of how delegated decisions align with the strategic objectives of the CIL programme. Officers advised that work was underway to explore options for making CIL and Section 106 information more publicly accessible through the Council's website.

Discussion took place regarding the monitoring of approved projects and the management of allocated funding. Officers explained that each project is monitored through an agreed programme of milestones, reporting requirements and funding agreements. Larger projects are supported through regular progress meetings, whilst all projects  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27