Recommendation 16

Currently, stretched local planning authorities are likely to focus their limited staffing and resources on affordable housing delivery as a priority, rather than establishing and administering CIL, even where CIL may be financially viable. The reintroduction of strategic planning in England presents an opportunity for greater co-operation between local authorities, including by pooling CIL receipts to deliver larger infrastructure projects. This collaboration may also encourage more local authorities to establish CIL charging schedules across a wider area, and thus improve CIL coverage. This adds to the case that the Government must invest in dedicated planning officers for the new Strategic Authorities. (Conclusion, Paragraph 87)