The Brent Infrastructure Fund Statement 2020-21 has now been published. LINK It covers the Community Infrastructure Level (CIL) which includes Strategic and Neighbourhood elements, Section 106 and Section 278 Funding.
There are several headline items in the report. The first is the total amount of money in the CIL pot, money derived from the contribution of developers to the general infrastructure of the borough and second, the proportion of that which has not been allocated.
STRATEGIC CIL
So what was SCIL spent on? Wembley got the majority of the funding and that is Wembley Park - Tokyngton Ward (Muhammed Butt's ward) rather than other parts of Wembley.
Morland Gardens is the controversial redevelopment of the Adult Education Centre at 1 Morland Gardens, Stonebridge.
Details:
Wembley Two Way Working
& Wembley North End Road - As identified in the Core Strategy and Wembley
Area Action Plan, there is the need for new road connections and junction
improvements to support the ongoing development of the Wembley Growth
area. These include two significant road improvement schemes which have been
implemented to improve traffic flow and connectivity through the area.
The first phase of the Wembley Two Way working project was completed and operational
on 22nd March 2020 and plans for the second phase and further improvements on First
Way and South Way are being developed. The new North End Road connector to
Bridge Road opened on 11th June 2021 ahead of the EURO 2020 tournament
initially operating as a T junction. The Highways and Infrastructure Team are
working with Transport for London on signalising the new junction by the end of
the year.
Olympic Way Public Realm Improvements – The improvements are a
recognition that Wembley Park is an area of national and international
importance. The high quality public realm supports the ongoing transformation
of the area into a thriving, attractive environment where people want to live
with access to shops and entertainment.
Public and private investment for Olympic Way has involved a new treatment to the Bobby Moore Bridge, new hard and soft landscaping throughout, a new crossing at Fulton Road, new lighting, trees, street furniture, wayfinding, WIFI, a new public square, and replacement of the ‘pedway’ with steps, lifts and flexible covered space to form an iconic new entrance to the national stadium.
Morland Gardens Education Facility - Is an investment in skills and employability prospects for residents. Cabinet have agreed SCIL contribution towards the redevelopment of the existing adult education facility in Morland Gardens, Stonebridge. The new, mixed use redevelopment will provide an expanded and improved educational facility, along with workspace, a community space and 65 new council homes
NEIGHBOURHOOD CIL
The CIL Regulations 2010 stipulates that at least 15% of CIL receipts must be spent on neighbourhood project. Of that 15% up to 25% may be spent on priorities identified by Neighbourhood Forums. Two are established in Harlesden and Sudbury Town and another is under consultation in Kilburn. Neither of the former were allocated anything and £1,5m of the total £2m went to Wembley. Brent Council points out that the projects are recorded in the originating borough but may be for services across the borough, Some of the projects are in initiatives of the Council itself.
In line with the CIL Regulations, NCIL can be used to fund a very broad range of facilities such as play areas, parks and green spaces, public realm improvements, cultural and sports facilities, healthcare facilities, and other community facilities provided it is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on the area. The NCIL must be spent on priorities agreed in consultation with the local community. These priorities must be aligned with the needs of the local community.
CIL funding has no
immediate deadline and therefore is available on a rolling annual basis.
It is important to recognise that CIL receipts can only be spent on capital projects,
although associated
revenue spending to maintain those capital items is also permissible
SECTION 106
Section 106 funds are secured through planning obligations and are site specific (rather than general) to mitigate the impact of development. Clearly the claim on 'affordable housing' needs to be broken down as 'affordable' is such a slippery concept in Brent usage.
