Issue - meetings

The Principal Planning Policy Officer presented the report to the Committee.

Since the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2019, local authorities had been required to prepare and publish an Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement each year from 2019/20 onwards.

The Council had taken the decision not to pursue a Community Infrastructure Levy as part of the preparation of the Local Plan and instead relied upon Section 106 Agreements.  This decision was due to the Community Infrastructure Levy not being necessary nor the best method of delivering infrastructure in the District.

In light of the decision to not to pursue a Community Infrastructure Levy, the Council’s Annual Infrastructure Funding Statements report a ‘nil return’ for parts 1 and 2.  However, part 3, the Section 106 report, set out additional information that was detailed in the report.

In essence, the Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement and the categories detailed in the report were intended to show clearly and in a transparent manner the progression from the signing of a Section 106 Agreement through the Council’s receipt of the money to the spend of the money and the delivery of the required infrastructure on the ground.

The 2024/25 Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement highlighted 4 new Section 106 Agreements securing funding for affordable housing, infrastructure, and travel plans.

Notable contributions had included: £600,000 in Bolsover; £38,000 in South Normanton; and over £200,000 in Barlborough.

2 Deeds of Variation were agreed, adjusting contributions while maintaining infrastructure delivery.

Section 106 income had exceeded the previous two years combined, with nearly £2.5 million held.

Spending also rose, totalling £444,000.  The closing balance reached nearly £2 million.

Most funds held were for highways, outdoor sport, and open space, with smaller amounts for housing, art, health, and biodiversity

The 2024/25 Annual Infrastructure Statement was attached at Appendix 1.  The key headlines for the 2024/25 financial year were detailed in the report.

The Chair congratulated the team for their work and the report.

A Member recalled the previous loss of £180,000 Section 106 funds in Pinxton and the work achieved since then to prevent any sort of repeated loss from reoccurring.

The Senior Devolution Lead for Planning Policy, Strategic Growth and Housing informed good work was taking place between the Council and Derbyshire County Council on highways.

Moved by Councillor Catherine Tite and seconded by Councillor John Ritchie

RESOLVED that Planning Committee: 1) note the requirements of the Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 in relation to Annual Infrastructure Funding Statements;

2)    approve the Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25 and endorse the decision to publish it to comply with the regulations.