Purpose

To consider the report recommending the adoption of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to full Council and that a date for the implementation of CIL be set.

Decision

In consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning the Leader RESOLVED to:

I.            Note the Examiner’s Final Report at Annexe 1, including the proposed modifications to the draft CIL Charging Schedule.

II.            Commend that Council adopts and publishes the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule and Instalments Policy for the Uttlesford Local Plan area at Annexe 2, as modified in response to the Examiner’s recommendations.

III.            Commend Council to agree that the Charging Schedule will take effect from 7 September 2026.

IV.            Commend Council to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, to make any necessary minor wording, formatting or grammatical changes to the Charging Schedule or Instalments Policy before the date it takes effect.

V.            Commend Council to instruct the Chief Executive and Strategic Director of Planning, in collaboration with the Section 151 Officer, to actively engage with the West Essex Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) process, ensuring that appropriate geographic ring-fencing protections are formally embedded within the LGR transition protocols, financial asset transfer registers, and future shadow executive governance arrangements.

Reasons for the decision

In March 2025, Cabinet agreed that work could begin on preparing a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule for Uttlesford, setting different rates for different types of development. CIL is a charge that local planning authorities can apply to new development. The money raised helps fund infrastructure needed to support growth, such as transport, schools, open spaces and other community facilities. It operates alongside Section 106 agreements, which continue to secure site-specific mitigation.

In February 2026, Cabinet noted the consultation responses and proposed modifications to the draft Charging Schedule, and delegated authority to progress the remaining procedural steps, including examination. The draft Charging Schedule has now been examined independently by Intelligent Plans & Examinations (IPE).

The report sets out the outcome of the examination and asks the Leader to recommend that full Council adopt and publish the CIL Charging Schedule under Regulation 25 of the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended). The report has been scheduled to be considered at full Council on 14 July 2026.

Alternative options considered

None.