This meeting of Waverley Borough Council’s Executive will include reports on a range of issues, including funding for refugees under the ARAP scheme, proposed changes to the way the council enforces the Community Infrastructure Levy, and a request for supplementary funds to cover the costs of agency staff and planning inquiries.

Afghanistan Relocation Assistance Programme (ARAP) & other refugee schemes - extra support from Waverley Borough Council

The meeting will include a proposal to agree to support an Afghan family of three through the Home Office’s ‘Find Your Own Accommodation’ pathway. This pathway involves the council providing financial support to the family, who are currently living in temporary accommodation, to help them find a privately rented home in Waverley. The report also notes that:

There is also a strong possibility of the Home Office approaching Waverley Borough Council to request our help to support further refugee families settle into our borough.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL): ENFORCEMENT POLICY

The Executive will be asked to approve the adoption of a new CIL Enforcement Policy. A Community Infrastructure Levy is a charge that local authorities can choose to impose on new developments in their area. The report notes that:

CIL is non-negotiable, the CIL Regulations are very inflexible and if the liable party does not comply with the regulations, the consequences can be financially severe with the potential for loss of exemptions, added surcharges and late payment interest and in some cases loss of ability to pay by instalment.

The new enforcement policy is intended to:

ensure robust, transparent and effective procedures, in line with the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2010 (as amended), for the continued collection of Community Infrastructure Levy liabilities.

Supplementary Estimates Request - Temp Fees to 31/03/2025 & Planning Inquiry Costs

The Executive will be asked to approve two supplementary estimates, totalling £457,600. The first supplementary estimate, for £217,600, will be used to cover the cost of continuing to employ agency staff in the planning department. The report notes that it has not been possible to recruit to all vacant posts in the planning department, despite a recent recruitment campaign. The second supplementary estimate, for £240,000, will be used to cover the costs of professional witnesses and legal counsel at four forthcoming public inquiries. The report names the sites of the four appeals as:

• Stovid Hill
• Old Park Lane, Farnham
• Farnham Cemetery
• Scotland Lane, Haslemere