Issue - decisions
Proposed Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
13/01/2023 - Proposed Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) seeking agreement to spend up to £1 million from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Main Fund on enhancing Children’s Play equipment in public parks within the City.
Recommended:
1. That the ‘Parks Improvement Programme - Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Main Fund Application’, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be noted.
2. That up to £1 million from the CIL Main Fund to be spent on enhancing children’s play provision in public parks within Southend City subject to sign-off of the process as set out in Resolution 3 below, be approved.
3. That authority be delegated to the Director for Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Tourism, to sign-off that the process has complied with the objectives of the CIL Governance Framework (Appendix 3 to the report) when spending the sum agreed under Resolution 2 above.
Reasons for recommendation:
1. The proposed works set out in the Parks Improvement Programme fall within the definition of infrastructure that can be CIL funded in accordance with the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended) and the provision of children’s play equipment was evidenced as an infrastructure priority within the Southend IDP.
2. At a time when the financial position is particularly challenging and funding may not be available from other sources, CIL funding that has previously been secured from new development in the City, can make a significant difference to the well-being of our residents by delivering the infrastructure needed to support development in the area.
3. If the use of CIL funding is agreed, it is the intention to commence works by May 2023. They will deliver substantial improvements to our children’s play facilities across the City over a relatively short implementation period.
Other Options
Not to spend up to £1 million from the CIL Main Fund on improving and enhancing children’s play provision. Whilst other funding sources may become available at some point, there is no guarantee as to if this would occur, when it would take place and the sums provided.
Note: This is a Council Function
Eligible for call-in to: Place Scrutiny Committee
Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney