Agenda item

Community Infrastructure Levy Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule

The Chair stated that Panel Members would like some clarity on who makes the decision on how much money could be spent in the project and if there was any members involvement in the process. The Chair said a diagram showing the decision process in relation to CIL, and elected members role within the process would be useful for Panel Members. The Interim Head of Planning said this information would be provided for Members.

Action >>>>>> ED Resources and Regeneration (Interim Head of Planning)

The interim Head of Planning explained the connection between Section 106 and CIL, and Section 106 relevance to other Council projects in response to Councillor Mallory’s question. Councillor Millbank asked about community involvement with the project. Panel Members noted that the Sustainable Development Select Committee had identified Ward Assemblies as the vehicle for community involvement.

Councillor Curran said it would be sensible to use this vehicle to determine how funds should be distributed. The Chair said this information should be included in the diagram he had requested.

Action >>>>>> ED Resources and Regeneration (Interim Head of Planning)

Business Panel agreed to request that the Mayor and Cabinet ask officers to do a simple report that includes a diagram showing how CIL is delivered. They also agreed to ask the Mayor and Cabinet that officers show how Council Members and the community are involved in this process. Panel Members were curious to know what was currently being done in other boroughs to involve elected members and the general community.

RESOLVEDthat: 

i.              the decision of the Mayor and Cabinet be noted.

ii.            Mayor and Cabinet be requested to ask officers to show how Council Members, and the community are involved in this process.

iii.           Mayor and Cabinet be requested to ask officers to produce an easy to read diagram to illustrate the process.

iv.           Mayor and Cabinet be requested to ask officers for information on how the decision making process on the allocation of CIL operates in other boroughs.

Memorandum of Understanding with Veolia to Develop a Lewisham Heat Network

The Climate Resilience Manager, Regeneration and Place, introduced the report. The Chair referred to the Community Heating System Review which was done by the Sustainable Development Select Committee. He said the review was very useful and important, and it did state that the tenants should be put first and the aim was to provide good heating systems which would ensure bills do not go up. Councillor Wise said the point of a review was to help the community. She said this work was done because of the bad workmanship done on the new Heathbridge Estate, officers were looking at ways to address heat loss in the building. Councillor Wise said it was unfortunate the Council did not get funding for this, but Southwark did and it had worked very well for them.

The Climate Resilience Manager, Regeneration and Place, said officers had been in discussions with Veolia for a while, looking at the benefits from Celchip. He said the Council was not tied to any contract as yet, but was looking at developing the idea further. The Climate Resilience Manager, Regeneration and Place, said the Council was lucky to get some funding to do the feasibility study. He said the Convoys Wharf development was key to this project, as it would generate the most demand for heat.

Councillor Curran raised concerns over the cost of liability to the Council and asked for an example of a situation when the Council could be liable. Panel members were told that it was highly unlikely for any liability to the Council as there was no binding obligation on the Council. Councillor Curran asked if the Terms of Reference were legally binding. Panel Members were told that a legal contract had to be made to ensure confidentiality, and was also a demonstration of good faith,  forming part of ongoing discussions.

Councillor Curran said because this would be a cheaper alternative it would be popular, and asked how officers would ensure the people who need it get it. Panel Members were told that the Council wants to be part of this to influence the way the heat is provided and distributed, and at the same time get additional funding for the project.

The Climate Resilience Manager, Regeneration and Place said officers were looking to draft governance arrangements. He said the next step would be for officers to go to consultation, look at options available, costs and risk involved. He added that arrangements were being made to commission an expert to do the design work. Councillor Curran said he hoped Council would ensure officers have sufficient resources to get a very good expert to do the investigation.

Panel Members asked about the timeframe and were told it would be by the end of the calendar year when the next round of funding from central government opens. Panel members asked when they would get an update and were told the proposal would be going to Sustainable Development Select Committee, then a report to Mayor and Cabinet. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVEDthat: 

i.              the decision of the Mayor and Cabinet be noted.

ii.            Mayor and Cabinet be requested to ensure that sufficient

resources be provided to officers to appoint an efficient and effective consultant for the investigation, to ensure the Council gets the best possible deal.