Issue - meetings

This report sets out the funding challenges currently facing the delivery of the South Kilburn medical centre and seeks a further contribution of funds in addition to the Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) previously agreed by Cabinet.

Cabinet RESOLVED to agree an additional £600,000 of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding for the infrastructure fit out costs of South Kilburn Medical Centre, subject to an amended funding agreement.

Councillor Tatler (as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Growth) introduced a report detailing the funding challenges currently facing the delivery of the South Kilburn Medical Centre and seeking a further contribution of funds, in addition to the Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding previously agreed by Cabinet.  In considering the report, Cabinet were reminded that the South Kilburn Medical Centre formed part of the social and community infrastructure included as part of the South Kilburn estate regeneration programme and Masterplan for the Peel Scheme.  The importance of the scheme in supporting wider improvements in health outcomes and the quality of primary care in the area was also highlighted, with members noting that the additional funding being sought had been as a result of the current high interest rates and inflation which had increased building costs and negatively impacted on the current viability of the scheme.  In order to address the viability gap identified the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) had agreed to match the additional SCIL contribution being sought, which was welcomed by Cabinet as a means of securing the additional funding requirement to enable the current scheme to progress.  The use of SCIL for the purpose of supporting infrastructure provision linked to growth and development was also confirmed as being compliant with the necessary regulations and in accordance with the principle of the initial contribution agreed by Cabinet in April 2020.

In supporting the proposals, Cabinet recognised the current pressures on the viability of construction schemes along with the importance in delivery of infrastructure schemes such as the medical centre in growth areas such as South Kilburn as a means of tackling health inequalities and enhancing the quality of primary care facilities designed to meet local need.  As such, members praised the partnership working with the NHS and welcomed the plans for community engagement regarding the services on offer once the Medical Centre became operational.

In commending the collaborative approach that had secured the viability of the Medical Centre, Cabinet RESOLVED to agree an additional £600,000 of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding for the infrastructure fit out costs of South Kilburn Medical Centre, subject to an amended funding agreement.