Agenda item

To receive the report of the head of planning on the Community Infrastructure Levy, draft charging schedule.

The committee considered the head of planning's report on the community infrastructure levy.  Following consultation on the preliminary draft charging schedule and government changes to the rules around charging a levy for affordable housing, Cabinet had reviewed the schedule and recommended a draft schedule for recommendation to Council and further public consultation.  

The government had announced that there must be no requirement for affordable housing or for the council to charge tariff-style contributions on developments of ten homes or fewer.  However, affordable housing could be provided through rural exception sites.  

The committee noted the rates proposed by neighbouring councils and noted that the council had to set its rates at a level that could be supported by viability testing.  The council was also in competition with other districts to attract science-based industries so could not set its rates too high.  

The council was expected to keep a 'live' plan in place, meaning that it should be subject to review.  The committee suggested that a review of the community infrastructure levy charging schedule should be carried out after two years' operation.  The officers agreed, believing that this review should be carried out after publication of the annual housing statement, to assess whether the rates were correct.  

RESOLVED: to recommend Council on 18 February 2015 that it should review the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule two years after its adoption.  The Council should receive a report recommending whether the charging schedule should be amended or not.