Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director City Development.

Agreed:

RESOLVED that the content and publication of the Annual Infrastructure Statement for 2022 be noted.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report on the Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement for 2022, which set out information relating to funding that had been secured, received, committed and spent from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 monies as required by the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations. The report also provided an infrastructure list, which identified projects that could benefit from Community Infrastructure Funding in future.

Particular reference was made to the following three elements of the report:-

·        the value of CIL receipts;

·        the financial information regarding planning obligations secured through Section 106 Agreements; and

·        the identification of a series of infrastructure projects which could be funded wholly or in part by CIL in the future (without commitment at this stage).

The Assistant Service Lead - Local Plan also advised on some of the changes to the infrastructure list, which included the addition of community facilities including the Pinhoe hub, strategic cemetery provision and improvements to sports facilities at King George V Playing Fields.

Councillor Wood declared a non-pecuniary interest at this point and left the meeting during consideration of the remainder of this item.

Councillor D. Moore, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item. She welcomed many aspects of the report and referred to the importance of calculating carbon emissions in the projects identified for the future, including the impact of road building. She also identified the Water Lane and the Quay areas where improvements to infrastructure were required and made reference for the need to replace Mallison Bridge which would be an important element of the walking and cycling infrastructure in this area.

Councillor Mitchell, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item and sought clarification on the regulations relating to Neighbourhood Plans for 25% of CIL contribution to be earmarked for such plans and asked if consideration could be given to such a contribution to the St. James Neighbourhood Plan area.

The Leader, in responding to questions raised, advised that:-

·        Exeter did not possess Parish Councils within its local government boundary and there was an agreement in place on how money would be spent. He advised that he would seek advice on whether the Council could contribute to the Neighbourhood Plan; and

·        any inclusion of Mallison Bridge, Water Lane and the Quay as areas for infrastructure improvement could be made as a recommendation at a future Council meeting.

RESOLVED that the content and publication of the Annual Infrastructure Statement for 2022 be noted.