The report updated members on the progress of preparing Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) in the borough. It provided an overview of CIL and how Section 106 agreements can continue to be used alongside.

Before a CIL Charging Schedule can be adopted it must be subject to two rounds of consultation followed by an independent examination. The first stage of consultation, the Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule was undertaken in October 2016. The second stage is the publication of a final Draft Charging Schedule.

Following examination of the Brentwood Borough Local Plan 2016-2033, the Council is now in a position to progress work to finalise the Draft Charging Schedule for the second stage of consultation.

After a full discussion, Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Parker SECONDED the recommendations in the report. A vote was taken and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

Members are asked to:

R1. Approve that further work be undertaken to introduce the Brentwood Borough Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule, including updating viability evidence and the production of a final Draft Charging Schedule, to be brought to committee prior to examination submission.

R2. Approve that work begin to consider options for setting up a local panel that would decide on the priorities and spending of CIL and Section 106 monies, to be brought to committee in due course.

R3. Approve that options be considered and presented to a future committee for the creation of a CIL Officer role to lead on the administration and negotiation of development contributions.

Reasons for Recommendation

Given the amount of CIL revenue potentially available through allocation sites in the new Brentwood local plan, and the long-term nature of the proposals in the White Paper, it is recommended that the Council progress with the production of a CIL Charging Schedule. This will enable the Council to obtain additional infrastructure funding while any future changes to the CIL process, and the wider planning system, are considered, agreed, and implemented accordingly.

The introduction of a CIL Charging Schedule will maximise the potential for new development to generate income for the delivery of new infrastructure, while also ensuring that proposed rates do not render new development in the borough financially unviable.

It will be important to identify how CIL funds are collected and monitored alongside S106 contributions. For this reason, options should be presented on how members and key partners can take part in decisions through a form of panel arrangement. In addition, administrative functions can be part funded by CIL and so options should be presented to a future committee on the potential for creating a new officer role to lead and monitor wider developer contributions