Havant Borough Council and Southampton City Council ask us for feedback on CIL Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule

17 Jan 12

Havant Borough and Southampton City are the latest Councils based in Hampshire asking for feedback regarding their proposed Draft Charging Schedules in respect of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

The Chamber has recently responded to the Government's consultation on CIL reforms, however the local Councils request is with regard to actual cost and guidelines for local communities in terms of choice options and flexibility.

Ian Welland, Head of Area Development for Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is clear on the matter and said, "CILs will not pay for all community infrastructure but should help local authorities ensure that levies are spent on infrastructure that directly supports development, leading to economic growth, job creation and viable projects that benefit the whole community. The downside is that CIL contributions are expected to be payable before developments are underway, i.e. from the point in which developer agreements are signed."

Currently contributions from developers toward community infrastructure, such as affordable housing, transport and highway improvements,are obtained through negotiated Section 106 planning obligations. CILs will largely replace these obligations except for affordable housing and in some cases, measures needed to make a development acceptable.

The preliminary Draft Charging Schedules will set out the proposed tariffs and explain how the tariffs have been arrived at.

Portsmouth have already undertaken and completed their consultation, which can be seen online.

Chamber will be responding to the Local Councils' CIL consultations, so please send any comments to ian.welland@hampshirechamber.co.uk

Please see below for the Hampshire Councils currently deadlines and links:

> Havant BC: 20 Jan 2012

> Southampton CC: 6 Feb 2012

Weblinks below

Useful links

http://www.havant.gov.uk/havant-12082

http://www.southampton.gov.uk/s-environment/policy/community-infrastructure-levy.aspx

http://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/living/20443.html

http://www.hampshirechamber.co.uk/docs/CIL%20consultDec11%20-ChamberFINAL%20response[1].pdf

http://www.hampshirechamber.co.uk/news/All/1826