To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Spending Board held on 1 September 2023.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Spending Board meeting held on 1 September 2022 be approved, and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were none.

Including any interests not already registered

Cllr Kitchener declared for Application C – New Sewerage Connection at Swanley Park, that the application had been considered at Hextable Parish Council and remained open minded.

Cllr Granville declared for Application E – Greatness Community Pavilion Sevenoaks Town Football Club, that she sat on the Town Council who had made the application and remained open minded.

Cllr Shea declared for Application E – Greatness Community Greatness Community Pavilion Sevenoaks Town Football Club that she has signed as the supporting Member and it was in her ward. She would therefore be speaking as the Local Member and would not take part in debate or voting thereon.

The Principal Infrastructure Delivery Officer presented the report which provided Members with a background to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and advised Members that there were some changes following the new Levelling Up and Regeneration Act which would have a direct impact on the current Section 106 and CIL regimes, through the introduction of a new Infrastructure Levy to be rolled out over a 10 year period. It was important to note that the proposal did not currently change the Council’s CIL process or governance, however when the changes did come in, the Council would need to be ready to make changes to the way infrastructure projects were funded at the local level.

She further advised that paragraph 9 set out that a total of 15.1 million pounds had been collected since 2014 and £7.9 million allocated by the CIL Spending Board. The amount available for allocation by the Board for local and strategic infrastructure projects was just over £1.6 million.

She advised that the bids set out before the Board had gone through a rigorous assessment process and those shortlisted against the criteria were set out in Appendices A to F for the Board’s consideration.

Application A – Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve Redevelopment Project

The application sought £250,000 to improve the visitor facilities and safeguard biodiversity at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve. The proposal set out a number of improvements, including refurbishing the visitor centre to provide a new cafe, retail and event spaces, improved toilets, an outdoor seating area, play area, resurfaced car park with increased capacity and upgraded interpretation. It is also proposed to safeguard biodiversity through installing a new security fence and zoning, to minimise wildlife disturbance and balance visitor presence.   

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve is a nationally important nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), with over 2,000 species recorded and attracting around 50,000 visitors per year.

Officers advised that it was estimated that the total project was £1,500,000 and the funds sought were 17% of the overall cost of the project. To date, no other funding sources had been secured but a large range of funding opportunities were being explored.

Officers advised approval, as the proposal demonstrated strong social, economic and environmental benefits to the community and public benefit, a strong link between new development and the scheme, good partnership working and strong local support. The proposal provided clear evidence to show that the scheme would be delivered and it contributed to the Council’s commitment to tackling climate change.

The Board was addressed by the following speakers:

Company/person/body responsible for the bid: Rebecca Rees (Head of Strategic Projects and Funding)

For the bid: Trevor Kennett (SDC Head of Direct Services)

Against the bid: -

Town Representative: -

Local Member: Cllr Shea

Members asked questions of the speakers which focused on additional funding, and economical benefits. In response to questions Members were advised that Kent Wildlife Trust were confident that they would be able to raise the full funds, and a phased approach to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.