This report updates Members on the progress which has been made in preparing a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule for the borough since the previous updates in March and September 2022.

The draft CIL Charging Schedule was published for Regulation 16 consultation in October 2022.  This report presents the outcomes of that consultation and recommends minor amendments to address issues identified through representations received.

Mr Quilter presented the report.  Members thanked the Planning Policy Team for this report.

Following discussion Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Mynott SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

Members voted UNANIMOUSLY and it was RESOLVED to:

1.     Note the outcomes of the Regulation 16 consultation on the draft Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule.

2.     Approve the submission of the updated draft Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule (Appendix A) and supporting documents (Appendices B-G), to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination in accordance with the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended) and the Planning Act 2008.

3.     Delegate authority to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council, to make modifications to the submission documents during, and as a result of, the Examination in Public as advised to be necessary by the appointed Planning Inspector.

Reasons for Recommendation

The council has identified a corporate priority to adopt a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for the borough.  CIL will help secure infrastructure investment alongside new development identified in the council’s local development plan.  Resource to progress CIL to submission has been prioritised following local plan adoption in March 2021. 

The recommendations have been made to deliver CIL to the borough, noting the outcomes of the Regulation 16 consultation, which informs the draft CIL Charging Schedule to be submitted for examination.  Delegated authority is sought to make amendments that the planning inspector may require through the examination process, much in the same way as was approved for the local plan examination.  Subject to approval of the committee and a successful conclusion to the CIL examination, outcomes will be reported to the council ahead of any decision to adopt the CIL Charging Schedule and how it should be implemented with regard to administering, monitoring and spending the levy,

[Cllr White declared a non-pecuniary interest for reasons that his employer, Network Rail, were listed within the report].