The Neighbourhood Forum highlights several issues regarding how development funds (Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy) are handled.
Lack of Transparency, there is no detailed breakdown at a ward or neighbourhood level of NCIL receipts, allocations, and spending. Inadequate Consultation, The use of the Annual Residents Survey (ARS) as a primary tool for assessing local priorities, claiming it is designed for general council feedback rather than identifying specific community infrastructure needs. Ring-fencing funds, funds generated locally could be spent far away from the developments that caused the impact.
The Council’s reply, by the Infrastructure Planning Manager, defended current policies while offering new concessions on transparency. The Council maintains the ARS is a robust, representative tool. Acknowledging the need for better data, the Council promised that future Infrastructure Funding Statements (IFS) will include a full breakdown of income, allocations, and expenditure for each specific NCIL area. The Council assured the Forum that the £5,000 currently collected is held under a separate code and is ring-fenced specifically for projects supporting the Roman Road Bow area.
NCIL in Tower Hamlets Report and The council’s response below.