Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) meeting held on 7th September 2022.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 7th September 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

Councillor R Martin declared an other registerable interest in Minute 22/33 as Chairman of Sawtry Parish Council and a non-registerable interest in Minute 22/33 as Ward Member for Sawtry.

Councillor I D Gardener declared a non-registerable interest in Minute 22/33 as Ward Member for Alconbury.

Councillor S Cawley declared a non-registerable interest in Minute 22/33 as Ward Member for Great Staughton.

A copy of the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions is attached. Members are invited to note the Plan and to comment as appropriate on any items contained therein.

The Panel received and noted the current Notice of Key Executive Decisions (a copy of which has been appended in the Minute Book) which has been prepared by the Executive Leader for the period 1st September 2022 to 31 December 2022.

The Panel are to receive the Community Infrastructure Levy Funding report. – Report to follow.

By means of a report by the Chief Planning Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Community Infrastructure Levy Spend Allocation report was presented to the Panel.

It was confirmed that the figure in 2.12 of the report should read £100,000 following an enquiry by Councillor Pickering.

Following a question by Councillor Pickering regarding funding to support new developments which had generated the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds, the Panel heard that CIL funds are to support growth and infrastructure across the district and to support the needs of all residents and businesses, funds are not tied to specific developments as is the case for S106 developer obligations. It was confirmed however that the new administration intends to review the governance surrounding CIL arrangements and that this would be done in due course.

Councillors Corney and Gleadow enquired as to whether Parish Councils were aware of the funding available and whether many smaller applications were anticipated. It was clarified to the Panel that projects requesting £50,000 or less CIL funding could be determined under the delegated authority approved by the Cabinet in 2020. It was further confirmed that there is regular communication with Parish Councils from the team to ensure awareness and support where required.

It was confirmed to the Panel that the current reserves within the CIL fund are the average of what is usually expected to be available and that the statutory Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement shows annual statements and outlines priorities for future spending. It was further clarified that some strategic projects would be required and that consideration would need to be given to ensure wise use of the funds awarded and to ensure best value for the local communities.

Councillor Cawley enquired about the decision to decline a funding application for street lighting within the Great Staughton ward. It was advised to the Panel that CIL money should be used to unlock growth and that in order to use the money to its full potential, the Council needed to be mindful of obligations which fall under other providers. It was confirmed that the County Council are responsible for street lighting within the public highway.

Councillor Gardener enquired about the potential for the Alconbury Flood Group applying for funding in the future. The Panel heard that an application could be made to future rounds of CIL and that would be considered assuming that it met the relevant criteria and provided the required supporting information.

Having welcomed the report, it was thereupon

RESOLVED

that the Cabinet be recommended to endorse the recommendations within the report.  

The Panel are to receive the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme.

With the aid of a report by the Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme was presented to the Panel.