The CIL Spending Panel of King's Lynn and West Norfolk Council met to discuss Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) spending. The agenda included discussion of a local infrastructure application, and the strategic infrastructure process and identification.

Local Infrastructure Application

The CIL Spending Panel were scheduled to discuss a local infrastructure application. The report pack included the Local Project - CIL Fund Application Form, which stated that to be eligible for CIL funding, a project must meet the following criteria:

• be located in or close to areas where new developments are coming forward
• increase the provision, capacity or function to benefit a growing community
• have taken into consideration inclusivity and accessibility
• be deliverable in the short term (within 2/3 years)
• be supported by the submission of evidence to confirm the finance arrangements (quotes or procurement process and match funding)
• be supported by the Ward Member
• be seeking funding no less than £10,000 and no more than £100,000
• be supported by a statutory provider (if Health, Education, Highways, etc) where this relates to these services

The application form also stated that applications that are partly funded through Neighbourhood Parish CIL¹ or have a minimum of 50% match funding guaranteed, and are identified through a Parish Infrastructure Investment Plan (PIIP)², Neighbourhood Plan or show equivalent evidence to demonstrate feasibility, would be viewed favourably.

The CIL Funding Policy stated that any award must be used exclusively for the delivery of the project as set out in the application submitted, and that the project must be carried out and completed to the standard and specification stated within the application form.

Strategic Infrastructure Process and Identification

The CIL Spending Panel were also scheduled to discuss the strategic infrastructure process and identification.

The CIL Spending Strategy stated that 80% of CIL Borough Funds will be allocated to Strategic Infrastructure Projects, and that projects will be identified and classified into essential, desirable, and beneficial infrastructure.

Essential infrastructure is defined as infrastructure that is necessary to support an approved development, is identified in the Infrastructure Delivery Framework of the Local Plan, is identified in a Neighbourhood Plan or Corporate Strategy as a priority, and where the identification of need demonstrates that the time of delivery for funding is correct.

Desirable infrastructure is defined as infrastructure where the provision addresses a current inadequacy in infrastructure terms and the benefits of the infrastructure are clear, the infrastructure is identified as 'desirable' or a 'priority' in the Local Plan or Neighbourhood Plan or recent Parish Infrastructure Investment Plan (PIIP), and Neighbourhood CIL funding has been formally allocated to fund the project.

Beneficial infrastructure is defined as infrastructure that would allow infrastructure to be delivered through collaborative funding with Borough CIL, would unlock further opportunities within the Borough for housing and employment growth, is infrastructure which has not previously been identified as essential, or desirable in the Local Plans or within a Neighbourhood Plan, but a clear link can be identified in supporting the sustainability of the Local Plan, and is infrastructure which addresses a recently unexpected shortfall in infrastructure or community provision accounted for as having an influence on the sustainability of a community in the Local Plan.

The CIL Spending Strategy also included a reminder that the allocation of CIL to infrastructure projects should not be viewed as 'money to support local projects' or as an even share of funding.

Other Matters

The agenda for the meeting also included:

• Notes of the previous meeting
• Matters arising
• Declarations of interest
• Urgent business
• Members present pursuant to Standing Order 34
• Chair's correspondence
• Date of next meeting