Agenda item

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The Senior CIL Monitoring Officer introduced the item and went through the amendments which had been made on the Online CIL Application Form. She explained to the Panel all amendments were highlighted in boxes. A copy of the Online CIL Application Form is attached.

She explained Audit recommended to have tick boxes to enable Officers to run reports based on the percentage of applications and would identify what project match funding there would be, and she added this would give them an idea of what funding options are available.

On page 5 of the Online CIL Application Form looking at the Local & Community Support, Audit recommended again tick boxes be included to make it easier for Officers to run reports off on what kinds of support they have and have included a box where they can provide further detail. The Senior CIL Monitoring Officer commented that the form was more in depth.

In response to comments raised by the Chair, the Senior CIL Monitoring Officer confirmed if there was anything else which the Panel wished to include on the list, could be included within the Governance Document or the Application Form.

In response to questions raised by Councillor Joyce, the Senior CIL Monitoring Officer explained she had spoken to Audit, and they advised that if there was Councillor support, that it would be 1 point irrespective of if they were a Ward, Borough or Parish Councillor.

Councillor Joyce raised concerns in response and commented that Gaywood North did not have a Parish Council which he felt was unfair. The Chair shared Councillor Joyce’s concerns.

The Assistant CIL Monitoring Officer explained whilst Gaywood North did not have a Parish Council, it did not specify that the Borough Councillor had to be their Ward Councillor, any Borough Councillor could support it. The Planning Control Manager added they would look at the criteria in the round and would be looked at across the board and highlighted it was not the determining factor.

Councillor de Whalley commented that there were a number of unparished areas including King’s Lynn and suggested that KLACC be given equal weight as a Parish Council if they chose to support for CIL. The Senior CIL Monitoring Officer advised if they received support from KLACC or from any other organisation, it would be treated the same as any other type of support. The Chair explained that he expected Members of the Panel to draw it to Officers attention if they felt there was an area which had been disadvantaged.

The Senior CIL Monitoring Officer highlighted on page 7 of the Online CIL Application Form, additional information had been included and she explained Audit and the Panel asked for additional information to be submitted with an application, so they had included project plans, drawings and quotes and she highlighted this was statutory for applicants to complete.

She reminded the Panel they wanted more detail in relation to expenditure and she advised this had been included as set out below.

The Chair asked Councillor de Whalley if his concerns had been covered off during the meeting.

In response to a further question raised by Councillor de Whalley, the Senior CIL Monitoring Officer confirmed once an application has been submitted and is successful, the applicant receives an email to confirm the application has been submitted. She added when the applicant logs in using their log in, they can view the progress of their application.

The Chair asked if information could be included on the form to suggest that any applications which are received, applicants get an email within 12 hours if they are successful. In response, the Senior CIL Monitoring Officer confirmed this could be included on the form.

The Senior CIL Monitoring Officer assured the Panel that they assist applicants wherever they can when applicants submit applications.

In response to a question raised by Councillor Blunt, the Senior CIL Monitoring Officer confirmed included in part 3 of the Governance arrangements on page 6 of the draft CIL Governance and Spending document for 2024 at 3.0.7, it stated the amount of CIL neighbourhood parish money retained and allocated would be considered by the panel.

Members of the Panel and the Chair thanked Officers and appreciated all of their work in a short timeframe.