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Councillor Mark Packard, Cabinet Member with the responsibility for the Planning and Coastal Management introduced report ES-2528 which related to the CIL Funding Bids 2025 and the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024-25.
The annually presented report for Cabinet contained two key appendices which were themselves separate reports, Appendix A: The CIL Spending Report 2025 and Appendix B: The DRAFT Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 2024-25, with the Infrastructure Funding Statement having its own set of 3 appendices. The layout of the latter document was set out within the CIL Regulations.
The contents of Appendix A the CIL Spending report for 2025 demonstrated that it had been a bumper year for CIL spending, with 29 projects seeking funding through CIL.
In accordance with the delegated powers the CIL Spending Working Group made the following decisions
a) that £428,730 Local CIL has been committed this summer to 16 small Local CIL and Local CIL Play Fund projects and some of these projects are already underway.
b) two requests for the forward funding of Neighbourhood CIL have been approved for Eyke and for Trimley St Martin for their Village Hall improvement projects.
c) following review of the operation of the CIL Spending Strategy, the ringfencing of District CIL for Health and Education projects proposed to be delivered across the 5-year period has been increased to £14.2m.
Cabinet were asked to decide on the recommendations of the CIL Spending Working Group (CSWG) within the CIL Spending Report to approve just over £8.1 million of funding for these 11 infrastructure projects proposed to support the planned new housing developments across the East Suffolk area.
The projects recommended for funding from CIL were:
Wickham Market Library £ 29,500.00
Waldringfield Footpath Project £ 42,734.34
Leiston/Saxmundham - Sisu machines £ 42,000.00
Henley Gate Primary School £ 272,868.75
Benhall/Saxmundham Cycling and Walking project £ 402,836.00
Beccles Medical Centre Extension £ 4,226,255.00
Leiston FC – reallocation of existing CIL award (new pitch location) £ 276,018.18
Melton - Wilford Bridge Cycling and Walking project £ 573,869.00
Thorpeness - New Community Hall £ 735,000.00
Benacre Flood Defence Project £ 1,000,000.00
Halesworth Campus sports pitches top up £ 501,069.00
There were no questions from Cabinet Members.
Councillor Keys-Holloway raised concerns regarding the viability of the Halesworth campus site. The Councillor recognised the wonderful concept for both rugby and football club. The land was gifted with the purpose of community, and the community wanted the best use of the land. The community wanted to make sure people were using facilities that were fit for purpose and there was concern that this was not being done in the right way.
Councillor Ashdown supported the Halesworth campus project and the work of the CIL working group. The project was examined in detail, and the proposal was the only way the project would be able to move forward. The CIL working group had unanimous cross-party support.
Councillor Byatt raised concern regarding Beccles medical centre, which was in receipt of CIL funding, however a proportion of the population who accessed their services were from South Norfolk. Councillor Byatt queried if South Norfolk could be asked for funding contribution. Councillor Packard responded that the CIL working group had to consider the projects presented which were done in good faith.
Councillor Daly queried if the CIL working group included representations from local communities when considering projects and funding. Councillor Packard responded that it was not generally how the process worked. In respect of the Halesworth campus a letter of representation had been received. There had been lengthy discussion and consideration at the CIL working group about this complex project which was part of a wider plan for the area.
The Head of Planning and Building Control added that the funding asked for was in addition to existing funding to take the project forward. Planning permission was in place for the whole project, which included 3G pitches, car parking and infrastructure.
Councillor Ewart sought clarification that Kelsale would be included in the Cycling, Walking and Wheeling strategy. Councillor Bennett responded that he would be happy to discuss outside of the meeting. A lot of work had gone into strategy, and he believed there was funding in the strategy for Kelsale.
The Chair, Councillor Topping, noted receipt of a letter regarding the Halesworth campus site from Adrian Ramsey MP, also signed by County Councillor Annette Dunning, Councillor Wakeling and Councillor Keys-Holloway. Councillor Topping was aware of the history and the issues in the area.
The Chair stated on her request a meeting was called on 28 July 2025 for stakeholders. The Apollo centre was not present. It was a productive meeting with participants being able to share their views. The Leader confirmed the CIL working group was quorate at four and councillors present at the meeting in question were able to make the decisions taken.
The Chair discussed the 3G pitch, which had planning permission and was sized according to Sport England requirements. If the recommendations were not supported the rugby pitch would not be delivered. The 3G pitch would likely proceed regardless.
The Chair detailed other concerns regarding the community use agreement with football club and campus. The Chair believed there was reassurance that the campus would honour the agreement made and not outprice users.
The Chair read out the conditions on p13 of appendix A.
Councillor Beavan appreciated the concerns raised; in terms of viability, he was satisfied in supporting the recommendations. CIL was not just for Halesworth but the whole area. Councillor Beavan highlighted the successes of Southwold Rugby in recent years.
Councillor Packard concluded that it was common that 10-20% of funding was held back that until building / project work was completed. The rugby club had looked at mapping where members lived, and they were from Halesworth and outside villages.
Councillor Noble supported the recommendations.
Councillor Beavan had declared an other registerable interest as a member of Southwold Rugby Club and did not participate in the vote.
On the proposition of Councillor Packard seconded by Councillor Noble it was unanimously
RESOLVED
That Cabinet
1. Noted the contents of the CIL Spending Report (Appendix A) namely the Local CIL funding awards, the two cases of forward funding of Neighbourhood CIL and the increased ringfencing of £14.2m District CIL by the CIL Spending Working Group to secure Health and Education projects proposed to be delivered over the next 5-year period.
2. Approved the recommendations (section 7 of the CIL Spending Report) of the CIL Spending Working Group to award or reject the requests for the District CIL funding for projects proposed to support the planned new housing developments across the East Suffolk area.
3. Approved the draft Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024-25 (Appendix B) for publication, subject to minor amendments to be approved through the Chair of the CIL Spending Working Group/Cabinet Member for Planning. Publication to be made by 31 December 2025 statutory deadline.