Issue - meetings

This report sets out a revised approach proposed to the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding strategy based on a review of projects (2017-2019) and consultation completed in December/January 2020.

Cabinet RESOLVED, subject to the following amendments to the report, to agree the funding strategy for 2020-2023, which would be used for decisions on expenditure of the neighbourhood element of the Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) to ensure all risks to the council were mitigated and the best outcomes for residents of Brent were achieved:

·                Section 5.2.3 – Final sentence “All members will have no decision-making powers” to be amended to read “All members will act in an advisory capacity only”; and

·                Section 5.2.6 – to be amended with the addition of “This revised approach will bring the NCIL process in line with the administration of all other Brent Council grants for the voluntary and community sector.”

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning, Councillor Tatler introduced the report which provided Cabinet with an overview of NCIL spending to date, as well as recommendations for the future administration of NCIL through the development of a funding strategy. Cabinet heard how the procedural changes contained in the strategy would include a more evidence based approach, in terms of outcomes to guarantee value for money for the community. Member’s attention was drawn to the recommendation for the creation of an Advisory Panel, the membership of which would include the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, and which would link together the community sector and planning policy.  Councillor Miller welcomed the development of these wider links and his inclusion on the Panel.

In celebrating the success of the NCIL programme, Cabinet noted that in excess of £12 million had been allocated to over 200 community projects supporting regeneration and development in the borough. Cabinet recorded their thanks to the NCIL team who had been administrating the grants.

It was RESOLVED, subject to the following amendments to the report, to agree the funding strategy for 2020-2023, which would be used for decisions on expenditure of the neighbourhood element of the Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) to ensure all risks to the council were mitigated and the best outcomes for residents of Brent were achieved:

·                Section 5.2.3 – Final sentence “All members will have no decision making powers” to be amended to read: “All members will act in an advisory capacity only”; and

·                Section 5.2.6 – to be amended by the addition of: “This revised approach will bring the NCIL process in line with the administration of all other Brent Council grants for the voluntary and community sector.”