Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

The purpose of the report was to update members on the work being undertaken to prepare a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for Cambridge and seek approval that a Draft Charging Schedule is published for public consultation in November 2013.

Consultation took place on a Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule between 18 March and 29 April 2013. They have influenced a Draft Charging Schedule, which must be independently examined before it can be brought into effect.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change

       i.          Approved the publication of the Cambridge Draft Charging Schedule (the Draft Charging Schedule is included within the Draft Charging Schedule Consultation Document which is attached at Appendix 1 of the Officer’s report) for a six-week consultation period starting in November 2013.

     ii.          Approved, for publication alongside the Draft Charging Schedule, a statement outlining how S106 policies will be varied following the adoption of CIL.

   iii.          Approved, for publication alongside the Draft Charging Schedule, a draft Reg.123 List (Appendix B of the Draft Charging Schedule Consultation Document) which illustrates the Council’s intention with regard to what infrastructure items will or may be funded via CIL.

   iv.          Approved, for consultation alongside the Draft Charging Schedule, a draft Instalment Policy (Appendix D of the Draft Charging Schedule Consultation Document).

    v.          Agreed that, once the period of consultation has closed and all comments collated, arrangements be made for the Draft Charging Schedule to be subject to independent examination in accordance with the appropriate Regulations.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Senior Planning Policy Officer.

In response to Members’ questions the Senior Planning Policy Officer said the following:

       i.          Consultants had advised that it was not viable to claim CIL from hotels.

     ii.          Developers appeared to have a lot of influence on national policy. A fourth version of the charging schedule was pending.

   iii.          CIL was applied only to new build properties. Stepped increments for charges should not be required to provide a break for small businesses as they did not traditionally go into new build premises.

   iv.          Undertook to clarify for Councillor Marchant-Daisley if interest was chargeable on the payment by instalments policy.

    v.          The CIL process was separate to the Local plan one. It would be reviewed every three years.

The Committee resolved by 4 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.