Waverley Borough Council's Executive has agreed new measures to improve how the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is managed, including the introduction of a discretionary review process for historic individual residential applications. The changes are designed to make the system clearer, fairer and more responsive to the needs of local residents.
At its meeting on 1 July, the Executive approved a series of improvements to the CIL system to enhance transparency, correct errors where they have occurred, and to ensure the process is administered proportionately and consistently.
The Community Infrastructure Levy is a planning charge on new developments that helps fund infrastructure needed to support growth, such as roads, schools, parks, healthcare facilities and community spaces. Waverley Borough Council’s CIL charging schedule came into effect on 1 March 2019 following two public consultations and examination by an independent inspector.
At the meeting, Executive members of the council agreed to broaden the discretionary review process to ensure it is open to anyone who has received a CIL charge for an individual residential application. By widening access, the council is ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to request a fair reassessment where they believe an error may have been made.
The recommendations agreed by the Executive include:
- Introducing a discretionary review of CIL for all individual residential applications, to be undertaken by an independent, professionally qualified and suitably experienced person.
- That the Executive receive update reports on the outcome of the discretionary review, including lessons learned.
- Note and support the wider programme of improvements the council will be making to how it administers CIL, which will include a review of the CIL Charging Schedule in parallel with the Local Plan review.
- The CIL Review and Reform Executive Working Group to prioritise a review of the council’s CIL enforcement policy.
- Reviewing the council’s approach to CIL enforcement to ensure it is fair, reasonable and proportionate.
- Continuing to lobby central government for reform of national CIL Regulations to make them simpler and fairer for residents building home extensions.
Councillor Liz Townsend, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economic Development, said:
“We’ve listened closely to householders who’ve shared their experiences with the CIL system, and we understand the distress that can arise from honest mistakes made within a rigid national framework. While we are bound by national legislation, we are determined to improve the process wherever we can.
“We want to offer a transparent, fair and compassionate way forward. That’s why we’re introducing a discretionary review process, a vital new route for cases to be reconsidered.
“Our commitment is to support our residents wherever possible, and this change gives us the tools to do just that. While we continue to press for broader national reform, this is an important step toward greater fairness, transparency, and accountability in how CIL is applied locally.”
The Executive’s decision is subject to call-in. Depending on the outcome of this process, the council anticipates the discretionary review process will begin on or after 10 July 2025.
Full details of the agreed changes are available on the council’s website at www.waverley.gov.uk/CILproposals.
ENDS