Agenda item

This report outlines a series of proposals for updating the governance strategy for the allocation and forward planning of the Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL). Key measures proposed include updating the Council’s infrastructure delivery plan (which sets out the infrastructure needed to support development), streamlining delegated authority and approval processes, introducing prioritisation criteria, improving project monitoring and management, and enhancing SCIL allocation planning. The proposals also cover procedures for “Infrastructure Payments” and “Payments in Kind.”

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the proposed approach for planning, allocating and monitoring of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding.

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Tuesday 27 May 25

Councillor Benea (as Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Property) introduced a report from the Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Regeneration detailing proposals for updating the governance strategy for the allocation and forward planning of the Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL). Key measures proposed include updating the Council’s infrastructure delivery plan (which set out the infrastructure needed to support development), streamlining delegated authority and approval processes, introducing prioritisation criteria, improving project monitoring and management, and enhancing SCIL allocation planning.

In presenting the report, Cabinet were advised of the way in which the proposals had been designed to provide a smarter, more strategic way of managing the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), given its importance as a means of ensuring that growth in Brent was directly able to benefit the boroughs residents.  Whilst recognising the success being achieved in terms of meeting the boroughs housing targets alongside the delivery of new jobs and workspace, members were also reminded of the associated pressure this placed on local infrastructure and the associated importance (recognising the strong performance in Brent) in therefore being able to secure accompanying Strategic CIL funding.  Given the success achieved in securing SCIL funding, the review of current governance arrangements and development of a more strategic approach towards the way in which the allocation and monitoring of available resources was planned and undertaken was felt to be timely, having also been highlighted following a recent scrutiny and Corporate Peer Challenge review, in order to ensure the process remained as fair, efficient and responsive to local priorities as possible.

In outlining the ways in which the proposed changes outlined within the report had been designed to strengthen the governance around SCIL, members were advised these had included an update of the Infrastructure Delivery Plan to ensure it was better aligned with the Borough Plan, Local Plan, and strategies covering climate, transport, and inclusive growth as well as introduction of clearer prioritisation criteria and a more streamlined decision-making process enabling funding to be allocated more transparently and projects to progress with greater pace and accountability which it was felt would help to ensure that the benefits achieved through growth could be shared on a wider and more visible basis.  Members noted that the proposals also included clearer procedures governing how SCIL could be used through “Infrastructure Payments” or “Payments in Kind”, which had been designed to make the process more robust while retaining flexibility.

Having commended the success achieved by Brent in terms of the generation and collection of CIL receipts when compared to other local authorities across the country, members expressed support for the way in which it was felt the proposals had sought to streamline the arrangements for the future planning, allocating and monitoring of SCIL recognising the ongoing efforts to deliver an ambitious programme of regeneration across Brent.  In acknowledging the way in which the arrangements would support stakeholders working together more effectively to shape and fund the future provision of key infrastructure and ensure that growth being delivered worked for all sections of the community Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the proposed approach for planning, allocating and monitoring of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (SCIL) funding, as detailed within the report.