Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Planning

That the following changes to the governance arrangements for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) be approved.

(a)  That Dorset Council uses the Infrastructure Funding Statement to update members on progress with developer contributions. The findings can also be reported in the quarterly finance reports.

(b)  That the principle of widening the scope of CIL spend beyond current geographical limits set by the charging areas is taken forward when Dorset Council adopt and implements a replacement single charging schedule across the Council.

(c)  That the infrastructure categories associated with habitat mitigation be removed from the scope of the next spending round.

(d)  That the categories and proportions for the remaining in-scope infrastructure be revisited following the completion of the next spending round.

(e)  That the measures to support “up front” engagement with town and parish councils including the measures to support greater awareness of developer contributions as set out in in the report to Cabinet 8 November 2021, be implanted as part of future spending rounds.

Reason for the decision

To ensure the delivery of important infrastructure to support growth and development.

Executive Decision - Review of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) - Dorset Council

The Portfolio Holder for Planning presented a report outlining proposed detailed amendments to the governance arrangements for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) expenditure following examination by Place & Resources Scrutiny Committee on 13 July and Place & Resources Overview on 19 October 2021.

Members welcomed the recognition of the role of town and parish councils in bringing forward the communities’ views at an early stage of development. It was acknowledged that there was an important role for ward Councillors to play, but the local community had a vital awareness of what was required in their local areas.

Cabinet members indicated that they “were minded to” support the recommendations as set out in the report.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Planning

That the following changes to the governance arrangements for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) be approved.

(a)  That Dorset Council uses the Infrastructure Funding Statement to update members on progress with developer contributions. The findings can also be reported in the quarterly finance reports.

(b)  That the principle of widening the scope of CIL spend beyond current geographical limits set by the charging areas is taken forward when Dorset Council adopt and implements a replacement single charging schedule across the Council.

(c)  That the infrastructure categories associated with habitat mitigation be removed from the scope of the next spending round.

(d)  That the categories and proportions for the remaining in-scope infrastructure be revisited following the completion of the next spending round.

(e)  That the measures to support “up front” engagement with town and parish councils including the measures to support greater awareness of developer contributions as set out in in the report to Cabinet 8 November 2021, be implanted as part of future spending rounds.

Reason for the decision

To ensure the delivery of important infrastructure to support growth and development.

Executive Decision - Review of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) - Dorset Council

To consider a report of the Infrastructure and Delivery Planning Manager.

The committee considered a report of the Infrastructure and Delivery Planning Manager which reviewed the implementation of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) governance arrangements and set out proposed changes to the governance arrangements.  The arrangements had been considered at a meeting of the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 13 July 2021 and the recommendations from the committee were included in the report.

Consideration was given to the proposed governance changes and discussion was held in the following areas:

·            The role of s106 legal agreements in North Dorset when a replacement charging schedule was implemented as scheduled to do so across Dorset Council in 2023

·            Recognition of the importance of delivering education infrastructure in Dorset and concern that no proposals had been forthcoming in round 1.  Discussions had been held with representatives of Children’s Services and proposals were expected to be received within round 2 of funding

·            A question was raised as to whether direct contact should be made with schools in respect of this.  The Children’s Services team would be able to manage the delivery of strategic improvements coordinating which schools as necessary

·            Further engagement would be held with the emergency services as part of round 2 spend

·            Recognition of the role that councillors could play at an earlier stage of discussions on CIL spend

·            How best to involve communities including working with town and parish councils and other local partners where appropriate.

It was proposed by C Jones seconded by A Starr

‘Minded to’ Recommendation

That the proposed changes to the governance arrangements as set out in the report, including the ‘minded to’ recommendations from Place & Resources Scrutiny Committee 13^th July 2021, be approved.

The Executive Director of Place, having heard the debate, confirmed the ‘minded to’ Recommendation to Cabinet, under delegated powers on behalf of the informal meeting of the Place and Resources Overview Committee.

To consider a report of the Infrastructure and Delivery Planning Manager.

At the request of the committee, councillors considered a report of the Infrastructure and Delivery Planning Manager to enable them to scrutinise the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Governance arrangements and to invite the Executive Director for Place to recommend any proposed changes to the Place and Resources Overview Committee before Cabinet approval.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and discussion was held in the following areas:

·       Discussion on the level of community involvement in the process

·       Role of town and parish councils and work for Dorset Council in raising awareness of CIL and seeking their priorities for spend

·       Link to Neighbourhood Plans

·       Noted that smaller parishes had greater flexibility on how they used CIL funding – guidance had been provided to town and parish councils

·       Legacy arrangements in North Dorset

·       Information on the availability of S106 funding as well as CIL and what they could be used for

·       Links to work on the new Local Plan and the charging schedule for setting rates moving forward

·       What CIL funding could be used for and the categories and proportions set by the former councils

·       Arrangements to monitor progress with projects and ensuring the council got best value for money

·       The percentages of funding given were fixed and the council did not have discretion to change them

·       Work could be undertaken across county borders with neighbouring councils.

Arising from the discussion, the Chairman provided a summary of the recommendations to be forwarded to Place and Resources Overview Committee.

‘Minded to’ Recommendations to Place and Resources Overview Committee

The following points to be considered by the Place and Resources Overview Committee:

·       Regular communications to take place with town and parish councils to raise awareness of the CIL process and to provide advice so that they can engage in the process

·       An increased level of ‘up-front’ community engagement to be built into the process through working with town and parish councils in advance of the funding window to get input on their priorities for spend.  Recognition of the role for town and parish councils in bringing the communities’ views forward

·       Under the new Dorset Council Local Plan, CIL money to be spend Dorset-wide

·       To review the scoring process

·       Re-evaluate the categories and proportions for spend set by the former councils, with the aim of ensuring best value for residents in how CIL monies are spent

·       To agree a method for regular monitoring of CIL performance (suggestions made – through the council’s performance framework or the Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement produced in December each year which includes performance information).

The Executive Director of Place confirmed that having heard the debate and summary provided by the Chairman, he would progress the committee’s recommendations through to the Place and Resources Overview Committee for their consideration.