The Planning Policy Team Leader (Infrastructure) presented a report on the annual review of governance arrangements of allocating Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to local and strategic infrastructure projects across Sevenoaks District. The current governance arrangements had been agreed by Members of the Development and Conservation Advisory Committee in July 2019. The report set out some suggested changes following feedback received from Officers and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the CIL Spending Board.  The Planning Policy Team Leader (Infrastructure) advised that within the report Appendix G should be entitled “Process to ‘Request a Review’ rather than ‘Appeal Process’. At the Chairman’s discretion the Chairman of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Spending Board addressed the Committee on the points raised within the report and the value of the yearly governance review.  Members noted that there would hopefully be Parish & Town Council training offered in the Autumn.

The Committee took the opportunity to welcome Carlyn Kan to the meeting as the new Infrastructure Delivery Officer.

In response to questions the Planning Policy Team Leader (Infrastructure) agreed that the reference to ‘company’ in Appendix A did need amending to ‘organisation’ for consistency.

In response to various questions she gave some examples of recent applications in order to illustrate how the current system had been working.  Members were keen that no personal gain could be made at any time as a direct result of CIL funding. Officers were investigating how the council may be able to introduce a similar scheme they understood the NHS had, where they were able to claw back investment rather than there be any future personal financial gain e.g. from improving a privately owned building with a community use.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that

a)    the amendments to Appendix X1 of the Constitution, as set out in Appendices G and H of the report be agreed; and

b)   the report be noted.