Agenda item

To note the important financial role the Community Infrastructure Levy and S106 obligations have in generating revenues used towards the delivery of key infrastructure projects in the London Borough of Enfield.

Helen Much, Head of Strategic Planning and Design presented this item, highlighting the following points.

Total CIL receipts for 2020/21 was £6.3, an admin fee is taken from this to assist with running costs. The Council’s spending priorities focused on town centres, cultural facilities and transport links and are linked to three main projects; The Dugdale Centre, Exeter Road public realm improvements and Enfield Town Liveable Neighbourhoods. In addtion £2.2 million went to the Mayor for cross rail projects.

Round 2 is now open for Neighbourhood CIL allocation and will be considered in January 2023.

S106 had received £2.9m in contributions which is the highest Enfield has ever received, £2.2m of which has been spent. Thirty seven S106 agreements had been agreed and signed with a combined value of £8.5m. The balance at the end of the year was £6.5m of which £1.6 is unspent contributions, £4.9m is allocated contributions. A total of 9 projects were delivered through S106 contributions, including a mix of environmental, public realm, cycle and pathways spread across the borough.

Members had questions on the remaining money, how Enfield compares with other local authorities and what determines the projects that are funded. To which Officers responded, that compared with our authorities the money left over is low and work is being carried out with project managers to look at why the money hasn’t been spent.

ACTION Members requested for the team to report back once the money had been spent.

Officers explained there is a process in place to determine which projects get funded from NCIL which is assessed by a panel to ensure they are considered fairly and fit the criteria. The criteria used was based on the poverty and inequality paper, CIL regulations and the Council’s priorities. 

Following queries from members, Officers clarified that all London Authorities collect money for Mayoral CIL to contribute to cross rail, there are charging categories for which Enfield is in the middle tier. The contributions also safeguard money for additional railway stations.

The SCIL also goes through a rigorous assessment and governance process, which is dependent on the size of the project.

Officers confirmed that a Hadley Wood neighbourhood plan is currently going through consultation. There has not been a large amount of interest from local communities for neighbourhood plans.

Members commented they would like to showcase the positive work and progress that has taken place. Officers advised the brochure will be available on the website and can push it through social media channels to make residents aware.

Following members questions on the split of S106 and CIL officers explained S106 is used as a mechanism for providing obligations or contributions to support affordable housing and economic development. The CIL is mainly used for other regulations and the split is contained within the government regulations.

ACTION: Officers to confirm if grants have been considered to Housing Associations.

Officers confirmed each S106 agreement is bespoke and has different triggers to determine when the money will come in. Officers are working with developers to gain a better understanding of when money can be expected to be received.