Issue - meetings

** Due to the size of the document, Appendix 5 to this report will be published as a supplement to the main agenda **

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Purpose of report

To seek Member endorsement to consult the public for six weeks on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL): Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule.

This is the first of two consultations on a potential CIL charge for Cherwell to be followed by an examination in public. 

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To endorse the CIL Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule (Appendix 2) for a six week public consultation.

1.2         To note the viability and infrastructure evidence (Appendices 3 to 5) supporting the CIL consultation.

Resolved

(1)          That the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule be endorsed for a six week public consultation.

(2)          That the viability and infrastructure evidence supporting the CIL consultation be noted.

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report to seek Member endorsement to consult the public for six weeks on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL): Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule.

This would be the first of two consultations on a potential CIL charge for Cherwell to be followed by an examination in public.

Resolved

(1)          That the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule be endorsed for a six week public consultation.

(2)          That the viability and infrastructure evidence supporting the CIL consultation be noted.

Reasons

Members are not asked at this stage to make a decision on whether to implement CIL in Cherwell but only to endorse a Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule for consultation.

From April 2015 all Councils have had to operate a system of scaled back S106s: contributions for on-site infrastructure and pooling of a limit of five S106s towards an item of infrastructure. Subject to consultation and any required amendments CIL could contribute towards supporting infrastructure in the district and help maximise resource income which would otherwise not be available.

It is recommended that the Executive endorses the CIL preliminary Draft Charging Schedule for a six week public consultation from February to March 2016.

Alternative options

Not consulting on the CIL Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule

Officers consider that without proceeding with this consultation the Council will not be able to assess the potential benefits of implementing CIL. Consultation will help ensure a robust and transparent process.