Consideration was given to the report of the Director – Place and Climate Change which proposed the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Governance arrangements and proposals for apportionment Strategic CIL funds.   The report had been scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) on 22 November 2021 and a copy of the Minutes arising from the OSC meeting had been appended to the report for Cabinet’s consideration.

A Community Infrastructure Levy Steering Group (CILSG) had been established to consider the allocation and spending of the Strategic CIL funding.  Appendix 1 to the report identified the updated CIL Governance and Funding Decisions Protocol for consideration and allocation of Strategic CIL funding and included the application form, assessment criteria and validation checklist.  The Protocol outlined how the Council, as the Charging Authority allocated the Strategic CIL and ensured governance arrangements were consistent and transparent.  There were two main funds, namely the Rother Infrastructure Fund (RIF) (55% apportion) and the Infrastructure Matched Fund (25% apportion).  Both would be sub-divided into Bexhill and Rural sub-funds.  Funds would be allocated to projects identified on the annual Infrastructure Funding Statement and prioritised by the Strategic CIL Allocations Panel.  A Climate Emergency Bonus Fund (20% apportion) would be established to assist schemes that were considered ‘green premium’ e.g. reduced carbon emissions.

It was noted that CIL funding could be spent on the Council’s own infrastructure requirements or assets; a briefing by the Planning Policy Manager would be delivered to the Corporate Management Team and Heads of Service to identify suitable projects / schemes etc.

Cabinet was supportive of the new Strategic CIL funding apportionment arrangements and composition of the Strategic CIL Allocations Panel.  It was also agreed that a review of the Council’s CIL Charging Scheme be delayed subject to the outcome of the Government’s paused White Paper “Planning for the Future” and further investigation of future infrastructure needs as part of the Local Plan Review, and that the CILSG be disbanded.

The Leader thanked all Members of the CILSG and officers who had supported and contributed to the work of the Group.

RECOMMENDED: That:

1)     the Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy Allocations Panel be established and comprised of the Cabinet Portfolio Holders for Strategic Planning, Finance and Performance Management and Economic Development and Regeneration, Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny, Chairman of the Council and supported by Director – Place and Climate Change, Planning Policy Manager, Chief Finance Officer and Principal Community Infrastructure Levy Officer;

2)     strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funds be distributed by the Panel in accordance with the proposed Community Infrastructure Levy Governance and Funding Protocol; and

3)     the Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy Instalment Policy be maintained (the Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy Instalment Policy was considered and compared with those of neighbouring authorities).

AND

*RESOLVED:  That:

1)     a review of the Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Scheme be delayed subject to the outcome of the Government’s paused White Paper “Planning for the Future” and further investigation of future infrastructure needs as part of the Local Plan Review;

2)     the Community Infrastructure Levy Steering Group be disbanded; and

3)     it be noted that ‘best practice guidance’ on Community Infrastructure Levy arrangements were to be created by Councillor Dixon, in consultation with Battle Town Council, the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning and Planning Policy Manager.

*The RESOLVED parts of this minute are subject to the call-in procedure under Rule 16 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.