Purpose

The report sets
out amendments to the adopted Neighbourhood Community
Infrastructure Levy approach.

Content

1.    
Approves the proposed NCIL implementation framework for
decision making on the allocation of NCIL set out in Table 2 of the
report to ensure that spending of NCIL remains in accordance with
CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended).
 

2.    
Notes that the proposed changes to the NCIL implementation
framework will apply to NCIL funding currently held and future NCIL
funding.
 

3.    
Notes that decisions on project level allocations of NCIL on
an annual basis to Capital, Revenue and Affordable Housing
projects, will be made via the Council’s standard revenue
governance processes and Capital Programme governance process up to
Cabinet.
 

4.    
Notes that decisions on the allocation of NCIL to individual
grants will be made via the existing Council Grants process set out
in the Cabinet Paper approved at the Wednesday 29th March 2023
meeting of the Cabinet.
 

5.    
Notes the Equalities Impact Assessment / specific equalities
considerations as set out in Paragraphs 4.1 -
4.3 of the report
submitted.

Reasons for the decision

The Council has a
statutory duty under the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
Regulations 2010 (as amended) to set aside 15-25% of CIL income as
NCIL for local communities to support local development by
involving them in decision making processes on local investment of
infrastructure, and anything else that addresses the demands that
development places on an area.
 
The
Council’s existing approach to NCIL was adopted by the Mayor
in Cabinet in June 2023. The proposed amendments are required to
introduce more flexibility into the current approach and recognise
that the most appropriate way to meet local people’s
priorities can be via both capital and revenue interventions. The
proposed amendments will also minimise any delays in the spending
of NCIL funds held by the Council and ensure that local
improvements to support both existing residents and to accommodate
residential / commercial and associated population growth are
delivered in a timely manner. The proposed amendments need formal
approval in order to be enacted and ensure that NCIL funding is
spent in good time to benefit local
communities. 

Alternative options considered

The Council is
required to approve the amendments to NCIL approach in order to not
delay the spending of NCIL funds currently held by the Council.
This would undermine the Council’s ability to provide the
necessary level and quality of housing, infrastructure and services
to support both existing residents and to accommodate residential /
commercial and associated population growth.
 
The alternative
option is to continue with the existing NCIL approach. This is not
recommended as it would not adequately deliver the Council’s
priorities set out in the new Strategic Plan 2022-26 or allow the
flexibility to meet local people’s identified
priorities.