Issue - decisions

RESOLVED:

1.     That the list of 31 projects be approved for inclusion in the capital programme for 2025/26 with a total budget of £998,100.87;

2.     That the opening of the local infrastructure bid windows be approved, for bids up to £100,000, for the 2026/27 financial year for two-months during Spring 2025;

3.     That the opening of a two-month expression of interest window be approved to explore the potential for further local and strategic infrastructure projects within the district; and

4.     That the Strategic Director for Place, Operations and Sustainability, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, be authorised to make such amendments as they deem appropriate to the approved project lists within 10% of the total budget. Any such amendments will be in accordance with financial regulations and reported to Cabinet via the financial monitoring reports.

KEY DECISION:

Yes

PORTFOLIO:

Planning and Economy

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Cllr Blunden declared a non-pecuniary interest, due to his membership of New Milton Town Council and specifically his role as Chairman of its Amenities Committee which had dealt with some of the projects listed in the report.  Cllr Blunden reported he would not speak or vote on this item.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy reported that he felt privileged to be able to recommend the approval of CIL funding to the projects in and around the District.  The assessment process had been rigorous, with scrutiny by both officers and members, through a task and finish group.  79 bids, had been received totalling £2.8 million and 31 were recommended for approval, spending just under £1 million of CIL funding. 

The Portfolio Holder highlighted the range of projects would benefit the community through the award of this funding.  Projects included improvements to playgrounds, sport facilities, village halls and footpaths / bridleways.  Thanks was expressed to members of the Task and Finish Group for their valuable work and to officers for overseeing the assessment process. 

The Portfolio Holder also reported that Cabinet were asked to approve an opening window for local infrastructure bids up to £100,000 for expenditure in 2026/27 as well the opening of an expression of interest window to explore further local and strategic infrastructure projects. This was in addition to the five strategic projects currently approved in October 2024.

The Service Manager – Planning, Policy Infrastructure and Delivery highlighted that a collaborate approach had been taken with members when considering the bids and thanked members for their involvement.  If the projects were approved, work would be carried out at pace to release the next trance of funding to the CIL projects.

A non-Cabinet Member spoke in support of the recommendations contained in the report, recognising the importance of spending the CIL funding in the District, as well as the opening window for local and strategic infrastructure projects.  The Hythe Ferry pontoon project was highlighted.  It was hoped that if a bid was submitted which met the criteria, that it could be supported due to benefits it would bring, including taking congestion away from the A326 and improved tourism.