Agenda item

To formally receive and consider correspondence received from West Oxfordshire District Council in respect of the consultation which runs until 27 September 2024 on the proposed introduction of a Community Infrastructure Levy.  

Details having been circulated to all members on 7 August 2024.

The Committee formally received correspondence received from West Oxfordshire District Council providing details of the 8-week consultation period which ran from 2 August 2024 to 27 September 2024 to obtain representation from the public in respect of a proposal to introduce a Community Infrastructure Levey (CIL) in West Oxfordshire.

Details of the proposal had been forwarded to all member of the Council on 7 August 2024.

Members were disappointed to see a lack of information in the proposal to explain how the levy figures were reached by WODC in the Draft Charging Schedule document.

In response to comments from the Leader of the Council, the Committee recognised the importance of maintaining robust Section 106 (S106) arrangements should the CIL charge on Strategic Sites remain at £0; S106 was seen to be important as developments outside of the boundary of Witney did use it as a service provider and therefore that additional strain needed to be financed in order to maintain and install new infrastructure.

Members agreed that WODC’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan dated 2016 lacked financial detail. The Plan outlined key priority projects however there was no details as to how and when these would be financed so a review was urgently needed.

The Committee also agreed that it would be essential to ensure that on completion of the revised Local Plan 2041 that a review of the CIL would need to take place. Members were of the mind that the amount of CIL had been arrived at on the basis of what developers were prepared to pay per square metre rather than looking at the cost and impact of changes to infrastructure to support new housing.

Officers reminded members that they were welcome to submit their own submissions, and a reminder email would be sent by Officers to all members of the Council to this effect.

Witney Town Council ask that WODC consider the following when assessing the proposed introduction of a Community Infrastructure Levy:

·        That the technical calculation used for the level of CIL are not clear and easily understandable and may be manipulated by developers.

·        The 2016 Infrastructure Delivery Plan is updated to include details of the financial costs to deliver projects.

·        That regular review will be made of the CIL scheme in light of any changes to planning policy or updates to key schemes such as the Local Plan 2041.

·        That policy concerning Section 106 contributions is enhanced to ensure infrastructure is delivered in the areas required where CIL is zero rated.

Resolved:

1.      That, the correspondence be noted and,

2.      That, a follow up email be sent to all members and

3.      That the above response be submitted to WODC.