Following a request for scrutiny of the current use of the BCP Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) the Board is asked to receive a representation from the ward councillor bringing the request. A CIL is a charge on new developments which can be used by the Council for community improvements.
Residents, community groups and other councillors with views on the CIL are invited to also address the Board and to submit a request to speak to scrutiny@bcpcouncil.gov.uk by 12 noon Thursday 3 October 2019. The Board is asked to consider the representation of the ward councillor and any other views put forward, and to make recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate.
Minutes:
The Board received a representation from Cllr D Farr, a ward councillor who had submitted a request to scrutinise the current use of the BCP Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The CIL was a charge on new developments which could be used by the Council for community improvements. Cllr Farr explained that this funding was meant to be available for local groups to apply for, but currently no applications were being accepted by the Council. He referred to a request for a defibrillator to be purchased for the local community in his ward. He asked that the CIL funding be unlocked as soon as possible so that it could be used as intended, for the benefit of residents.
The following residents and community groups also addressed the Board with their views on the issue:
Mark Elkins, Co-ordinator, Springbourne and East Cliff Residents Meetings, explained that local residents wished to use some of their unused CIL money of £69,000 to fund a dedicated street warden to address crime and anti-social behaviour in the ward. The ward suffered from some of the highest crime figures in the area according to police records, and there were individuals living in the ward with high levels of multiple needs who required specialist support. The request for this much needed resource was supported by all three ward councillors and Operation Galaxy.
Graham Whitehall, Treasurer, Dorset Lake Residents Association, explained that a previous application by local residents to have a village sign had been refused. It was hoped that this could be redressed by using CIL funding but nothing had been progressed to date.
Chris Allenby, Trustee, Treasurer and Membership Secretary, Poole Quays Forum, spoke about the nature of the forum and its role in being the voice of the community. He explained that many parts of the area were of high density, including the Twin Sails area which was earmarked in the Local Plan for 2,500 additional dwellings (an increase of 31%) at a rate of zero CIL. He cited a number of major developments in the area which had achieved planning permission and then reported that they were unviable. He spoke about not being able to tap into the overall neighbourhood CIL pot to proceed with the Maypole Square project, and highlighted that the Broadstone Neighbourhood Forum was in a similar position. He asked that a more transparent and fairer CIL arrangement be put in place.
John Sprackling, President - Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs District Residents Association, spoke about the need for more control over how CIL was spent. He referred to the huge amount of development and associated CIL collected in his local area, but appreciated the position of other areas with less development. There was a need to address speeding in his area and CIL could be used to undertake a traffic survey to support this.
Cllr M Anderson read out a statement on behalf of the Queens Park Neighbourhood Forum, which opposed any proposal to remove the percentage of CIL from local application. The forum was a valuable way of engaging the community in planning matters. The 15% of CIL available to the community was not much, but it did provide an incentive for people to get involved constructively in their local area, for example the forum was currently looking to improve access to Queens Park. The CIL neighbourhood provision needed to be retained. Cllr Anderson also referred to a CIL application to improve toilets in Moordown Community Centre which had been held up since before the local government elections in May.
The Chairman explained that the main purpose of the item was to consider how the immediate situation could be addressed in view of the representations received. A report on the future arrangements for CIL was due to be submitted to Cabinet in January 2020. The Board may wish to consider asking Cabinet to either bring forward this report or put in place interim arrangements in line with those previously applied.
The Monitoring Officer updated the Board on the current position. She explained that there were a number of legacy bids submitted prior to April 2019 which were awaiting allocation, especially in the Bournemouth area. Legally the allocation panel had been unable to convene during the LGR period as its membership included councillors. Officers were aware of the need to review CIL arrangements for the new BCP Council, but this had not yet been progressed. There had been no political involvement or decision to defer CIL, and officers accepted responsibility for the current situation. She had been working with colleagues in Communities and Planning Policy to clarify the amounts involved and to put options in place to resume allocations as soon as possible. Subject to legal confirmation it was anticipated that the arrangements prior to LGR could continue until the new CIL arrangements for BCP Council were agreed.
Board members commented on the current and future arrangements for CIL. There was consensus among members that interim arrangements to allocate CIL, if possible based on preceding councils’ arrangements, needed to be put in place as soon as possible. The Chairman reported that he had spoken with the Leader who was looking to push through a solution. The following main points were raised in discussion:
The Monitoring Officer confirmed that there was no time limit to use the CIL monies awaiting allocation. She had been advised that the figures for the outstanding neighbourhood portion for the preceding councils were £400,000 for Bournemouth, £60,000 for Christchurch and £50,000 for Poole. She agreed to seek clarification on the position regarding the heathland mitigation contribution.
The Chairman thanked Cllr D Farr for highlighting the issue. He thanked the local residents who had attended to speak on behalf of their communities.
RESOLVED that:
(a) Interim arrangements be brought forward as a matter of urgency to access the current CIL fund;
(b) Cabinet commits to work closely with the Overview and Scrutiny Board as future arrangements are developed on this issue.
Voting: Unanimous