Agenda item

Members gave consideration to a report regarding proposals for West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) to formally adopt the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The Committee was asked to accept the recommendations in the report and recommend these to Full Council for formal adoption.  The report had previously been considered by the Challenge and Improvement Committee who had supported the recommendations.

The Developer Contributions Officer explained the concept of the CIL and Members were provided with a list of frequently asked questions and corresponding answers to assist with their understanding of the scheme. Discussion ensued about the level of charges and how they had been capped. The Developer Contributions Officer explained that the charges and capping had been set by the Inspector and could not be changed by the Council. It was noted that, should the CIL be formally adopted, guidance notes and training sessions would be provided, to include parish councils, once the scheme was implemented.  Information would also be made available on the Council’s website.

Debate ensued and some Members indicated slight concern that the proposals would be adopted prior to any workshops, however it was also acknowledged that the partnership arrangements had not necessarily made this feasible on this occasion.

Clarification was sought as to whether the rates could be increased in the future or alternately reduced in the future, and as such whether there was a review mechanism.  Clarification was also sought as to whether payment in kind was acceptable for smaller developments.

Whilst Members welcomed the distribution of funds to communities affected directly by development, it was noted that usually it would be the services of the larger nearby settlements which would be put under strain and this arrangement would not offer those communities additional funding.

In response, Officers outlined how such impacts could and were mitigated.

Some Members did not consider that the 25% being offered to communities was enough considering the amenities they would need to provide to offer the healthy communities strived for.

In response Officers clarified that CIL would work in conjunction with S106s, and whilst CIL would contribute to the large infrastructure projects identified, this being the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and secondary education, there would still be opportunity for other stakeholders, such as Health to secure a contribution from developers though S106, if deemed necessary and appropriate.  Equally public open space could still be secured through a Section 106.  Furthermore the Policy was now more flexible and did not necessarily require a percentage of land to be contributed but could require contributions to upgrade current facilities, focussing on quality not just quantity.  CIL did not replace all the other avenues available to the Authority to mitigate the impact of development on communities.

RESOLVED that it be RECOMMENDED to Full Council that: -

Note:         Councillor Gillian Bardsley declared a pecuniary interest in the following item of business, as a landlord, and withdrew from the Chamber prior to its consideration.