Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval of the use of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to finance two infrastructure projects; the expansion of Epsom Cemetery and extending the life of Lower Mill Pond Weir (completed in 2016/17).

The Committee approved the use of CIL funds to finance the Epsom Cemetery Extension and improvements to Lower Mill Weir.

The Committee received and considered a report that sought approval of the use of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to finance two infrastructure projects: the expansion of Epsom Cemetery and extending the life of Lower Mill Weir.

It was noted that improvements to the Lower Mill Weir had been a priority project completed in 2016/17 and funded by £117K from capital receipts. It was confirmed that the Council had received external advice that retrospective application of CIL monies was acceptable and that a reasonable period to consider retrospective funding was 2 to 3 years. CIL was a relatively new source of funding and the Committee was assured that retrospective funding was likely to be in exceptional circumstances going forward.

The report highlighted that the current balance of uncommitted funds held for local infrastructure was £3.71 million and recommended the use of a total of £771K in respect of these projects.  This would reduce the balance to £2.94 million. A further report on the Agenda was seeking an additional £60k of CIL funding for additional paving works to complement Plan E, which, if approved, would reduce the balance of uncommitted funds to £2.88 million.

Appropriate use of CIL would reduce the pressure on the use of capital receipts. After financing the projects in the 2018/19 Capital Programme and taking into account £250K committed to date in 2019/20, the balance of uncommitted capital receipts would stand at £2.16 million.  Further projects identified as priorities in the 2019/20 Capital Programme would reduce this balance further.  The Medium Term Financial Strategy required the Council to maintain a minimum balance of uncommitted capital receipts of £1 million.

Accordingly, the Committee approved the use of CIL funds to finance the Epsom Cemetery Extension and improvements to Lower Mill Weir.