Agenda item

4.1       Michael Clarkson, Principal Policy Officer, introduced the report.  Mr Clarkson advised the Committee that the only application that was dependent on another funding stream was the Church Street Triangle, which is subject to a 50% match-funding proposal through the GLA’s ‘Good Growth Fund’.  Mr Clarkson explained that this was relevant to the decision, as the bid was dependant on the Council funding 50% of the scheme.  Mr Clarkson reminded the Committee that it had taken a similar decision in March 2018 for another scheme at Church Street.  Unfortunately, the previous ‘Good Growth’ bid to the GLA was unsuccessful and the funds have now been reallocated to this wider project, which stands a much better chance of success.

4.2       The Committee considered the next round of funding allocations for the strategic CIL expenditure.  Councillor Harvey was happy with the applications and had no additional comments to add.  Councillor Mitchell was also happy with the applications, however queried what consultation had been undertaken with the relevant Ward Councillors for each of the projects. 

4.3       Ezra Wallace, Head of City Policy and Strategy, responded to the concern raised, advising the Committee that the proposals were put together by council officers in the various service areas, which are then assessed by a Senior Officer Group before being recommended to the committee. The protocol was for those developing proposals to advise and involve local Ward Councillors in this process.  Councillor Mitchell informed the Committee that this had not been happening. Mr Wallace assured Councillor Mitchell that he would be taking this back to his department to follow up and resolve. 

4.4       Councillor Beddoe asked for clarification on the processes currently being implemented regarding allocation of CIL monies. Mr Clarkson advised that the regulations require CIL funds to be used to provide infrastructure to support the development of the city, and sets out how the council should apportion CIL receipts. The strategic portion of CIL (around 75-80%) is used for infrastructure projects across the city. There is also an allowance for up to 5% of receipts to be used for administration, this includes officers and technology used to collect the money the council is owed. The legislation requires 15% of receipts to be spent in consultation with local communities, i.e. the neighbourhood portion, of which no funds have been spent to date. Now that sufficient funds have accrued, it is appropriate to clarify a process for communities to access these funds in agreement with the council.

4.5       Mr Wallace explained to the Committee the process for accessing the strategic proportion of the funding, he explained that the policy team circulate how much funding is available per funding round, and officers would then come forward with proposals.  Mr Clarkson advised that the proposals are then divided into categories of infrastructure such as public realm and transport, education, parks and open spaces, utilities and waste and contingencies or other priorities as and when they may arise. He advised that this was set out in the council’s CIL Spending Policy Statement which the committee agreed when it was first established in November 2017, along with the spend for the strategic CIL and some elements of the neighbourhood CIL fund. 

4.6       Mr Clarkson advised that the committee report clarifies the process for allocating neighbourhood CIL and how the council intends to engage with neighbourhood organisations and the community regarding accessing this funding.  Mr Wallace advised the Committee that it was worth considering this process alongside the forthcoming infrastructure delivery plan, which would set out the forward plan for infrastructure needs in Westminster, and can be used in the future to judge CIL proposals against. Alongside the process set out in the committee report, this would help provide a clearer set of criteria to ensure that proposals that come forward contribute to the infrastructure needs of the city.

4.5       RESOLVED: The Cabinet CIL Committee:

Approved the expenditure of £3.262m from Westminster’s City CIL Strategic Portion. This included the allocation of funding for the following projects:

(i)              Church Street Triangle

(ii)             Sayers Croft Climbing Tower

(iii)            Great Western Road Public Realm

(iv)           St. Martin’s Lane Public Realm

(v)             St. Clement Danes School Public Realm

(vi)           St. Augustine’s High School Public Realm

(vii)          Halcyon International London School Public Realm

(viii)         QEII Jubilee School Cycle Storage

(ix)           Soho Dropped Kerbs

(x)             Maida Vale/ Elgin Avenue Junction Improvements

(xi)           Bessborough Street Subway Works

(xii)          George Eliot and Beachcroft Schools MUGA

                               i.    Noted the neighbourhood portion of CIL received to date as set out in Section 7 of the report and Appendix C.

                              ii.    Considered and approved the governance proposals for the neighbourhood portion of CIL as set out in Section 7 of the report and Appendix D.

Reasons for Decision 

In order to ensure robust and effective expenditure and reporting in line with the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 (as amended) and in accordance with the council’s strategic priorities, CIL spending policy statement and its framework for resource allocation and management.