Agenda item

    Report by Corporate Director Alistair Cunningham.

Cllr Toby Sturgis presented a report seeking approval for (i) the first allocation of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding from the strategic fund; (ii) delegated authority to approve allocation of strategic CIL funding in relation to projects needed to support growth and ensure compliance with the Habitats Regulations; and (iii) consultation to be undertaken on a limited change to the Regulation 123 List.

Cllr Sturgis reminded Cabinet that it had approved the process for the review of the regulation 123 List and prioritisation of spending of strategic funds raised through the CIL at its meeting on 14^th March 2017. He referred to a number of projects including Abbeyfield School, Chippenham and several transport projects. Cllr Sturgis also referred to the emerging Trowbridge Bat Migration Strategy, and indicated that an amendment would be required to the Regulation 123 List to allow strategic CIL funding to be allocated towards relevant projects.

Cllr Hubbard expressed a concern that CIL funding was to be allocated towards the Abbeyfield School, Chippenham, a non Council asset, that only a few residents would benefit from. It was noted that the expansion of school places was an immediate priority to fulfil the Council’s statutory duty to provide school places, in light of a number of housing developments within Chippenham.

Cllr Matthew Dean, Chairman of the Environment Select Committee, reported that the Committee had not considered the report prior to it being considered by Cabinet, but the Committee had considered elements of the report. He noted that a small amount of funding would be raised by CIL for the Authority, and there would be competing demand for limited resources. 

Cllr Dean suggested that a discussion was necessary about how Town and Parish Council’s could collaborate in a community area in order to benefit from joint resources.  Cllr Sturgis confirmed that CIL funds were limited during the current transition period, however, in the longer term they would increase.  He explained that Town and Parish Council’s would have the ability to unlock funding that was not available to the Council. The Leader of the Council reminded the Cabinet that Town and Parish Councils had the ability to develop Neighbourhood Plans which would benefit them with a 25% contribution from any CIL payments.

Resolved:

i)     Approve the allocation of £119,000 CIL funding for preliminary studies for the expansion of secondary school places at Abbeyfield School, Chippenham.

ii)    Approve the allocation of £136,000 CIL funding for preliminary studies for the following three transport projects; Malmesbury Road Roundabout, Chippenham; Bridge Centre Gyratory, Chippenham, and A361 Holy Trinity Gyratory, Trowbridge.

iii)  Delegate authority to the Director for Economic Development and Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning, Development Management and Property and Director for Finance and Procurement, to approve variances to the funding approved in (i) and (ii).

iv)  Delegate authority to the Director for Economic Development and Planning to approve in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning, Development Management and Property and Director for Finance and Procurement the allocation of CIL funding towards projects on the current and future Regulation 123 Lists relating to European protected sites as and when required.

v)    Delegate authority to the Director for Economic Development and Planning to undertake consultation on the inclusion of relevant projects on the Regulation 123 List, for subsequent approval by Cabinet, once identified in the Trowbridge Bat Mitigation Strategy.

Reason for decision:

To assist with the effective operation of CIL and ensure open and transparent

decision making in the allocation of strategic CIL funds.