URL: https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=234

Decision Maker: Environment Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Stroud District Council has been collecting CIL payments on planning permissions implemented since 2017. CIL should be used towards providing for any additional demand placed on the local environment and services created by new housing growth. Project bids have been received from infrastructure providers seeking funding support to deliver projects that align with planning policy. This report sets out the officer funding recommendations for projects requesting funding support in 2025/2026 financial year.

Content: The Senior Community Infrastructure Officer provided an overview on the background of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and advised CIL was a planning charge that had been in place at SDC since 2017 to help deliver infrastructure needs that help tackled pressures arising from new housing growth, of which there were two funding streams: one for local neighbourhood projects and the other for strategic projects. When making funding recommendations, officers used the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) which identified SDC’s infrastructure priorities for allocating CIL funds, alongside SDC’s other strategies.   Funding of £1.5million was available for funding opportunities during the bidding round which opened in March 2024. Appendix B outlined potential projects for future funding investment which included Gloucestershire County Councils (GCC’s) education service, primary health care and fire/police services. 4 bids were received in 2024 and the report outlined the 2 projects being recommended for funding (Cam Doctor’s Practice and Cam Health Hub). The officer advised of the 2 unsuccessful bids which related to Rodborough’s missing cycle link and upgrading a car park located near the cycle path in Nailsworth.   Councillor Simkiss queried the feasibility study for the Cam Doctor’s practice and asked whether space had been allocated for the premises within the proposed developments in Cam. The Senior Community Infrastructure Officer advised there was a planning obligation within the Wisloe development to support the development of a surgery however it would be the decision of the Integrated Care Board, NHS and surgery itself on appropriate location.   Councillor Simkiss queried if the pressure of finding appropriate land for the surgery would fall on the doctors within the surgery if SDC had not allocated any land within the planning permission. The Senior Community Infrastructure Officer advised she would get back to Councillor Simkiss outside of Committee to confirm.   Proposed by Councillor Simkiss, seconded by Councillor Brown.   Councillor Brown thanked the officer for her report and agreed with the recommendations for funding.   Councillor Hofmann, as a Rodborough Ward Councillor, expressed her disappointment in the unsuccessful project associated with Rodborough and queried whether SDC could influence GCC to ensure a plan was progressed for the missing cycle link. The Community Infrastructure Officer explained that Rodborough and the surrounding parishes equated to less than 1% of CIL liable housing growth and related closer to local neighbourhood infrastructure which did not balance on weighting the strategic funding requested. Officers would however continue to work positively with GCC to support the project wherever possible.   Councillors Watson, Dutton and Turner-Wilkes thanked the Officer and made the following comments: ·              The knock-on effect to services from the reduction of national infrastructure spend. ·              Disappointment that the car park at Nailsworth was not funded. ·              Echoed problems associated when developers did not put health care provision in plans and that feasibility studies were fundamental.   RECOMMENDED TO STRATEGY & RESOURCES COMMITTEE The funding commitments for the following: 1)    Feasibility Study for a new Cam Doctors’ Practice to receive £5,880; and 2)    Feasibility Study for Cam Health Hub to receive £15,000.  

Date of Decision: December 5, 2024