Agenda item

Resolved to Recommend that:

1)     Officers defer requesting project submissions for the use of CIL funding until April 2018.

2)     Officers request expressions of interest for the use of CIL funds from July 2017.

3)     the amendments to the CIL submission timetable as set out in Table 2of the report to Cabinet are agreed.

4)     authority is delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) to adjust the timetable for CIL submissions on an annual basis in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration as the need may arise.

Decision

Resolved to Recommend that:

1)     Officers defer requesting project submissions for the use of CIL funding until April 2018.

2)     Officers request expressions of interest for the use of CIL funds from July 2017.

3)     the amendments to the CIL submission timetable as set out in Table 2of the report to Cabinet are agreed.

4)     authority is delegated to the Assistant Director (Planning, Development and Regeneration) to adjust the timetable for CIL submissions on an annual basis in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration as the need may arise.

Reason for Decision

The report seeks authorisation to amend the governance arrangements for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

Corporate Objectives

Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing is not considered to be infrastructure under the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended) and as such does not directly benefit from CIL funding. CIL funds can however be utilised on supporting infrastructure which would facilitate the delivery of housing sites within the Core Strategy and Site Allocations DPD including those providing affordable homes.

Building Community Capacity

As CIL revenues are not restricted by geography they can be targeted in areas where there are existing deficiencies and/or where needs are most acute. CIL revenues may be used on social enterprise and local community infrastructure which supports those in the most deprived areas. Local communities should feel empowered to carry out improvements within their neighbourhood by the distribution of a proportion of CIL funding to them under Regulation 59 of the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended).

Delivering an Efficient and Modern Council

The amount of CIL funding is limited and needs to be targeted in order to maximise the infrastructure benefits to those working and living within the Borough. A clear and precise Infrastructure Business Plan will enable the long term planning of infrastructure improvements and facilitate the efficient delivery of infrastructure projects by the Council. The funds will enable the provision of modern facilities for the enjoyment of those living and working in the Borough.

Ensuring Economic Growth and Prosperity

Despite the majority of commercial developments not being liable to CIL payments, the development of the key employment area at Maylands and the Enterprise Zone is a corporate priority to which CIL funding may be allocated. It is anticipated that significant CIL funds will be committed to the development of supporting transport and ICT infrastructure to enable this area to thrive thereby increasing the prosperity of the area.

A Safe, Clean and Enjoyable Environment

CIL receipts may be allocated to the improvement of infrastructure which supports a safe, clean and enjoyable environment.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer Comments

Monitoring Officer: 

The recommendation to defer bid submissions until 2018 is appropriate noting the amount of CIL collected to date and will give clarity to infrastructure providers to enable bids to be prepared for April 2018.

Deputy S.151 Officer

The financial implications of this decision appear prudent basing the decision to limit potential funding to amounts that have already been collected and can therefore be utilised. The degree of uncertainty concerning utilising sums billed but not collected is prudent. The decision to therefore defer requesting project submissions and align the process with the budget timetable for 2018/19 will help to maximise the opportunities to target the funding at the most appropriate projects.

Advice

Councillor Sutton introduced the report and added that recommending Officers defer requesting project submissions for the use of CIL funding until April 2018 was important.

J Doe explained that Cabinet had considered this in November 2016. The level of receipts had not been as expected therefore they would like to delay some projects to allow the CIL contributions to increase.

Councillor Marshall noted that the CIL money received would not affect the local CIL payments to town and parish council’s. J Doe confirmed this.

Councillor Marshall highlighted that residents in Berkhamsted feel that the level of CIL money spent is much higher in Hemel Hempstead compared to Berkhamsted. She felt that the council needed to communicate better with those residents and see why they have that view.

Councillor Griffiths noted that no CIL money had been spent anywhere yet.

D Skinner confirmed that there was a note in the Statement of Accounts setting out the amount we billed for and the amount we received, which were significantly different. Therefore the residents were based on perception as no money had been spent yet.

Voting

None.