Issue - decisions

          The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability, and Transport and the Board Director, Service Delivery submitted a joint report concerning the Council’s formal adoption of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule and associated documents.

          Councillor Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability, and Transport, explained that the Community Infrastructure Levy was a mandatory charge on planning developments within the Borough. The income arising would support infrastructure improvements required by planned growth to 2026.  It would also support the delivery of the overarching objectives of the Swindon Borough Local Plan 2026.  He commented on the procedure associated with the preparation of CIL, and the process that would be followed following its formal adoption by the Council at a special meeting on 26^th March 2015.

          Councillor Heenan drew attention to the definition of the term “Retail” that appeared in the Charging Schedule in Appendix 1 to the joint report and explained that he wished to see this term clarified in the final documentation. He proposed the deletion of the second use of the word “retail” on page 94 of Appendix 1 of the report to read: “Retail: Is defined as any use falling within…”. He also wished to include within the brackets on that line reference to the classes A1 to A5. He explained that these were minor changes that would help to avoid any possible ambiguity arising and could be undertaken by officers under delegated powers. However, he thought it appropriate that the Cabinet and Council be advised of the intention to amend this wording.

          Councillor Heenan expressed his appreciation for the hard work and commitment of the officer team involved in the process to prepare the CIL Charging Schedule and its associated documentation.

          Resolved –That the Council be recommended to –

          (a) Subject to the deletion of the second use of the word “retail” under the definition on page 94 of Appendix 1 to read: “Retail: Is defined as any use falling within…”, and the inclusion within the brackets on that line of reference to the classes A1 to A5, adopt the Swindon Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule, as modified in accordance with the requirements of the Examiner’s Report, attached at Appendix 1 to the joint report, and that this be implemented from 6th April 2015.

          (b) Adopt the Swindon Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulation 123 Infrastructure List, attached as Appendix 2, the Swindon Local Payment Instalment Policy, attached as Appendix 3, and the CIL Surcharges Policy, attached as Appendix 4 to the joint report, and that these be published alongside the CIL Charging schedule.

          (c) Authorise the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services, Heritage and Libraries, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability, and Transport, and the Director of Law and Democratic Services, to make minor non-material changes to the content of the documents listed in (a) and (b) above if required prior to publication.

          (d) Authorise the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services, Heritage and Libraries, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and Board Director, and the Director of Law and Democratic Services, to -

          (i) Exercise the powers of the Council in relation to the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule and its accompanying documents: the Swindon CIL Regulation 123 Infrastructure List, attached as Appendix 2, the Swindon Local Payment Instalment Policy, attached as Appendix 3, and the CIL Surcharges Policy, attached as Appendix 4 to the joint report, and

          (ii) Implement Discretionary Relief for Exceptional Circumstances and for Social Housing and Charities, as set out under paragraph 3.12 of this report.

          (e) Authorise the Director of Law and Democratic Services to amend the Council’s Scheme of Delegations accordingly.

          The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.