Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the guidance set out within the inside cover of the agenda.

There were no pecuniary or conflicts of interest declared.

To consider any questions or deputations in accordance with the Councils Standing Orders.

There were no questions or deputations.

To receive, for approval, the Minutes of the last meeting held on 14 September 2022.

The Chairman invited the Board to receive, for approval, the Minutes of the last meeting held on 14 September 2022.

resolved

That, the Minutes be agreed as a correct record.

This report sets out background out how the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) has been used in non-parished areas of the Borough since it was first allocated in 2019.  The report goes on to consider options in creating a non-ward specific fund to help support projects which have cross boundary benefits.  And finally, the report provides context to enable Scrutiny Board Members the opportunity to consider whether any further changes to the process for allocating NCIL ought to be taken into account by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Leisure.

In attendance: Councillor D Howell – Cabinet Member (Communities & Leisure), Mark Andrews (Solihull MBC - Head of Design and Engagement) [virtual attendance to observe] and Gary Palmer (Group Manager Policy & Engagement).

The Board considered a detailed report setting out how the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) had been used in non-parished areas of the Borough since it was first allocated in 2019. The report also set out a number of options to create a non-ward specific fund to aid projects that had cross-ward boundary benefits.

The Board noted that the report had been circulated to all Members of Council in view of the wider interest in this initiative. A number of responses had been received which were also reported for consideration.

Prior to the report being presented, Cllr D Howell – Cabinet Member (Communities & Leisure) stated that she welcomed the inclusion of this topic on the agenda and was very keen to hear the Board’s views on the topic. A decision at her earlier Cabinet Decision Session (July 2022) had been deferred to allow for wider consultation with Members. Cllr Howell highlighted that there had been some application scenarios (e.g. cross-ward boundary) which had fallen outside of the current CIL bid allocation criteria and revisions to those were now being explored. The Board was also reminded that 2022/23 funding had already been promoted and the process for receiving bids was already underway. Therefore, any agreed changes to the allocation criteria would be implemented from 2023/24 onwards.

The Council’s Group Manager for Policy & Engagement explained that at least 15% of all Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds received as a result of development taking place in an area were to be used at a local level. That local proportion, otherwise known as the “Neighbourhood” Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL), was paid directly to Parish Councils where development took place in a parished area. 

In non-parished areas, the Council retained overall responsibility for allocating the NCIL. The Board noted that in the first 3 years, those allocations had benefited 32 projects which received funding totalling £417,955. The Cabinet Member for Communities and Leisure had direct responsibility for allocating NCIL funds and that was undertaken on an annual basis via bids made to specific ward funding pots.

The Council’s Group Manager for Policy & Engagement further advised that, following experience from previous years, it had been suggested that it would be beneficial to establish a non-ward specific fund. 

The potential cross-ward boundary options for consideration by the Board (together with their envisaged advantages and disadvantages) were reported and discussed under the following headings:

·  Option 1 – “Retain existing ‘on own merits’ approach.”

·  Option 2 – “Allocate NCIL to all wards (excluding areas covered by a parish or town council) on an equal basis.”

·  Option 3 – “Use the Strategic CIL Fund.”

·  Option 4a – “Introduce a ‘top-slice’ of NCIL funds from all ward pots.”

·  Option 4b – “Introduce a top-slice of NCIL funds from ward pots in the main urban area  only.”

·  Option  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To receive, for information, the latest version of the Boards Work Programme for 2022/23.

The Boards most recent Work Plan was submitted for information and comment. In considering the Work Plan, Mrs A McGrory highlighted changes to the timings of two topics to later dates in the Plan period.

resolved

That, the Board approves its current Work Plan for 2022/23, as submitted.

resolved

That, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the information contained herein is defined as exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act - Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

To provide an overview of the Council’s and the Safer Solihull Partnership’s current work on counter-terrorism and how ‘responsible authorities’ in Solihull are meeting their statutory duties.