Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 34
34
Accepted
Reform the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to extend its coverage where viable.
Conclusion
We are also concerned to hear that the Secretary of State may be considering suspending local authorities’ powers to charge the Community Infrastructure Levy to address concerns about development viability. None of the evidence to our inquiry—including from representatives of developers—advocated abolishing CIL entirely as a means of addressing viability concerns. On the contrary, we heard that the Government should reform CIL to extend its coverage where it is viable. CIL is an effective tool to support infrastructure funding and unlock housing development in the local authorities where it is charged. (Conclusion, Paragraph 148)
Government Response Summary
The government commits to publishing a map of CIL coverage in England and will extend the power to charge a Mayoral CIL across all Mayors of Strategic Authorities through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Community Infrastructure Levy will nevertheless remain an important tool for local authorities to use to help them deliver the infrastructure needed to support development in their area. To improve transparency on variation between LPAs and encourage uptake where CIL would be a useful tool for viable development, the Government has agreed to the Committee’s recommendation and commits to publishing a map of CIL coverage in England. To further drive up the number of communities benefitting, the Government’s English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will also extend the power to charge a Mayoral CIL across all Mayors of Strategic Authorities to unlock valuable infrastructure. Currently only the Mayor of London is able to charge a Mayoral CIL across Greater London, which has been critical in helping to fund the delivery of the Elizabeth Line.