Issue - meetings

To consider the reasons for the call-in request relating to the Strategic community Infrastructure Levy Cabinet decision.

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

1. That Cabinet approves the allocation of Strategic CIL funds to the following project(s):

·       Medical Centres Improvements

·       Trans Pennine Trail Community Access

2.    That Cabinet approves delegation to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, to establish the process to release funding to the approved project(s) as set out in Section 5 of the report.

Councillor Steele declared a Non-pecuniary interest as a member of the Trans-Pennine Trail in relation to this item.

The Chair noted that this item had been brought forward on the agenda to enable the Leader of the Council to be in attendance. The Leader, Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment and the Assistant Director, Planning, Regeneration and Transport were welcomed.

At the Chairs invitation Councillor A Carter put forward the reasons for calling in this decision. It was noted that twelve projects were put forward for consideration, five were by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and seven by the Council. It was felt that the discussion during the Cabinet meeting on 10 February 2025 did not explain the allocation of council resources in deciding which projects the council prioritised in progressing forward through the use of the strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The discussion was limited to what the prioritise were. It was queried what the vision for transport was within the borough, as it was felt that places such as the Todwick roundabout were a big priority because the majority of people travel by car or bus in the more rural areas of the borough. It was felt that the Council prioritised projects that involved cycle lanes and used a large amount of funding and would not provide benefits for the residents.

The Chair invited Councillor Yasseen to present her reasons for supporting the call-in request. It was noted that CIL was not an unrestricted funding stream for desirable projects. It should be used for must-have projects such as schools and GP surgeries. The funding was intended to address the real demand of pressures from aspects such as new housing developments. There was a lack of understanding in how some of the decisions had been made. It was indicated that this was a community led selection process therefore what was the methodology behind which projects were chosen. In Councillor Yasseen’s opinion, if the gateway tests were applied to Trans Pennine Trail Community Access scheme, it would not fulfil the second test regarding responding to the impact of growth. If Councillor Yasseen were to pick a project, that was community led, it would be the Broome Lane Crossing. This project had a large number of pressures due to the school and the issue regarding children’s safety, however it was noted that it had not been selected.

Councillor Yasseen wanted to understand the distribution of benefits, for example, whilst the investment in the 5 GP surgeries were welcomed, it was queried how they were chosen and was that based upon the distribution of benefit? Was it to address the impact of growth in those communities?

Councillor Yasseen felt that CIL was very defined statutory funding, and the Trans Pennine Trail Community Access scheme did a disservice to purpose of CIL funding. There was a real impact if aspects such as school expansions, or dental practices were not funded, however it would not affect essential public services if the Trans Pennine Trail  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations:

1. That Cabinet approves the allocation of Strategic CIL funds to the following project(s):

·       Medical Centres Improvements

·       Trans Pennine Trail Community Access

2.    That Cabinet approves delegation to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member  ...  view the full agenda text for item 122

Consideration was given to the report which provided an update on the application process for Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (Strategic CIL) funding which had taken place following Cabinet approval in July 2024. The report also set out the findings of the Strategic CIL officer group assessment on submitted projects against  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122