Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Sue Lumby.

(5.30 pm)

Members to advise of any declarations of interest.

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

(5.30 pm)

Of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 November 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 November 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

(Six Members voted for the motion and there were three abstentions)

(5.31 pm)

To determine whether to exclude the press and public during the consideration of any exempt information items.

There were no exempt information items.

(5.32 pm)

To consider any questions under Standing Order 27.

No public questions were received under Standing Order 27.

(5.32 pm)

The Executive Officer Policy and Place to submit a written report on the Community Infrastructure Levy - Draft Charging Schedule. The Committee are to consider the draft schedule for comments to Cabinet on 14 November 2018.

The Executive Officer Policy and Place submitted a written report on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule, which was attached at Appendix 1. Appendix 2 outlined the key issues in relation to the charging schedule. The report had been considered by Cabinet who had requested that the District Development Committee provide comments. A recommendation to Council would be made by Cabinet on 14 November 2018 with the final decision being taken by Council on 5 December 2018.

The Principal Planner introduced the report and the background to the CIL. The Planning Act 2008 contained powers for the introduction of a Community Infrastructure Levy that was intended to be a more simple method of securing funding to deal with the cumulative impact of development on infrastructure needs. The CIL would not replace Section 106 agreements but would be used as a ‘top-up’. The key differences between the CIL and Section 106 agreements were outlined in paragraph 5.3 of the report. The Principal Planner informed the Committee that it was estimated that introducing the CIL in the Harrogate District could generate £8.5 million.

Harrogate Borough Council would be the charging authority for the CIL but local councils and community groups would also be entitled to a percentage of the receipts generated by developments within their area – local councils with an adopted neighbourhood plan would receive 25% and areas without an adopted neighbourhood plan would receive 15%. In areas without a parish or town council the charging authority would retain the community’s allocation but be required to spend it in accordance with the wishes of the community. All allocations have to be spent on local infrastructure and an annual report must be produced by the local councils/ community groups detailing what the allocations had been spent on. The allocations must be spent within five years or they would be returned to the charging authority.

The Principal Planner explained that the draft charging schedule had been through a preliminary consultation but no changes had been made as a result. Following approval by Council, the CIL would go forward for a full public consultation before being submitted to the inspector.

Following questions from Members as detailed in the addendum to the Minutes, the Principal Planner explained the process behind the charging schedule. The rates and zones had been recommended following the CIL Economic Viability Assessment which was explained in paragraphs 5.10 to 5.15 of the report. The assessment took into account a wide range of factors including site values, construction costs and the likely impact of planning obligations arising from existing planning policy and regulatory requirements (e.g. affordable housing, environmental design and open space provision.) The CIL would not be required for residential developments in zones 2 and 3 as it would not be viable alongside affordable housing and open space contributions and contributions to infrastructure impacted by the individual developments.

The Principal Planner informed the Committee that the Council would be required to publish a Regulation 123 Statement once it had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.