Examinations of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedules
The 2008 Planning Act requires planning authorities who wish to introduce CIL to have their CIL Charging Schedules scrutinised by an independent Examiner appointed by the authority.
Unlike Development Plan Documents, CIL charging schedules do not need to be examined by the Planning Inspectorate and therefore TRA has added an independent examination service to our existing portfolio of services to local authorities.
TRA's Expert Examiners are highly skilled and experienced planning professionals. They have the necessary blend of interpersonal and case management skills to oversee a public examination of your documents and evidence and will ensure that the examination covers all the necessary issues in sufficient detail. This will enable us to provide you with a report which clearly and succinctly assesses your Charging Schedule and makes a robust recommendation as to whether the Schedule should be approved, modified or rejected.
The Examination service
Includes:
- An initial paper-based examination of the evidence and identification of the main issues.
- A pre-hearing meeting (if required). This will consider the work undertaken in the preparation of the Charging Schedule and identify any issues that appear potentially problematic. Such a meeting cannot test material, confirm the adequacy of the documents available, nor endorse any part of them. However, it is an opportunity to discuss how the examination itself will be managed and to outline a draft programme and the main issues to be considered at the examination.
- Examination of the evidence. This would normally be through a round-table discussion/Hearing. However, if no one exercises their right to be heard by the examiner, the examination can be conducted by written representations.
- A written report. We would normally expect to complete our report within 2 weeks from the conclusion of the examination. Before submission of the report, there would be an opportunity for the LPA to point out any factual errors for correction.
Expert Examiners
TRA's team of Expert Examiners currently includes:
- John Mattocks, BSc DipTP MRTPI. John has worked with TRA since 2009 and co-delivers our popular training workshop on Examinations of Development Plan Documents. Now semi-retired, John was a Planning Inspector for 25 years and was at the forefront of developments in the examination of DPDs.
- Lee Prebble, DipPlan DMS MRTPI. Lee has worked with TRA since 2000 and is one of our Senior Associates. He has delivered numerous training sessions on planning conditions, section 106 agreements and CIL and is responsible for our new workshop for 2012 on Introducing and Making Best Use of the Community Infrastructure Levy. As a former Planning Policy Manager, and now an independent planning consultant, he is well placed to conduct an examination of a Charging Schedule.
- Simon Rowberry, BSc (Hons) DipEM MBA MRTPI. Simon has worked with TRA since 1998 and is one of our Senior Associates. In addition to delivering our workshop on Understanding Viability: key concepts in development economics for planners, he has invaluable experience working with local authorities on the provision of infrastructure and is well versed in the issues and complexities of both viability and implementation.
Our Examiners are supported by TRA's administrative team based in Bolton and have access to TRA's extensive network of professional support and resources. For larger examinations, or where two or more planning authorities are proposing a joint examination, TRA would also be able to provide an assistant to the Examiner.
The appointment of a Programme Officer or Expert Assessor, if required, remains the responsibility of the local planning authority.
For further information
If you are interested in learning more about this service, please contact Penny O'Shea. We would be happy to provide a quotation, without obligation, based on our assessment of the anticipated length and complexity of the examination.