(Ashley Baldwin/Maxine Turley)
Minutes:
Craig Jordan, Head of Economic Growth introduced himself and Maxine Turley, Spatial Policy and Delivery Officer. Mr Jordan gave some background on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and the charging areas and Meaningful Proportion (Presentation attached). Mr Jordan suggested that members look at the Regulation 123 List as this sets out the infrastructure requirement.
Mrs Turley explained that CIL regulations place a duty on the collecting authority (LDC) to pass on a meaningful proportion of the levy to local councils, which in LDC’s case were our parishes and that this must be paid every 6 months which has been identified as the end of October and April. Mrs Turley said her department would be talking to the Parish Councils who are due their meaningful proportion very soon and gave a brief description of what this can be spent on (detailed in Presentation). She asked for all members to give it some thought and discussion as it was hoped when the visits take place there can be some work done together to address the community needs. Mrs Turley explained there are stringent report needs i.e. annual monitoring to be done and her team would provide guidance on this when visiting as it must match the LDC monitoring. Mrs Turley advised that there will be a Member training session around this shortly but suggested if anyone wanted to understand more they could look at LDC’s website/the Planning Portal or contact any member of the Spatial Policy Team who would be happy to help and discuss further and even attend any Parish Council meeting. Mrs Turley also said there would be Parish Council leaflets published hopefully by the end of April which would be self-explanatory and sent to all Parish Clerks.
A question and answer session then followed:-
Q. What is the justification to determine “infrastructure” and is there a dispute mechanism?
A. Infrastructure improvements is the definition given by the regulations including the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure or anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development place on an area. Really it will be for the District Council and the Parish Council to talk about as there is no dispute mechanism in place.
Q. Is it floor area not floor prints?
A. Mrs Turley confirmed that the CIL amount for each development was calculated on floor space (X£ per square metre) and not the footprint of the development and therefore it was correct that first and subsequent floors would be included in the calculation.
Q. Do the Parish Councils get consulted at how the remaining CIL money gets distributed?
A. Both LDC and Parish Councils need to engage together and must start the consultation on how to distribute as soon as possible. Mr Jordan confirmed The Regulation 123 List identifies the strategic infrastructure required to support the Local Plan Strategy. Mrs Turley agreed to circulate this to members with the Minutes.
Q. As Fradley has 1,000+ houses due to go up soon, to plan ahead Fradley Parish Councillors need to have insight in to what monies have been and will be secured to have a full picture and to be able to plan for their Parish – how can they find out what’s going on?
A. The Spatial Policy and Delivery Team are aware of the Parishes request for information relating to planning obligations including triggers and phasing and this work was currently being completed.