‘Sympathy’ on cash calls

The leader of South Holland District Council says ministers have been ‘sympathetic’ to his call to change the law around contributions to local infrastructure on planning applications that span more than one authority.
Coun Nick Worth has previously raised the issue pointing out that the district wouldn’t see any of the community contributions for the proposed Outer Dowsing and Viking Link off shore wind farms, despite whole substations being built in the area.
Instead, the authority where the cables come on shore, East Lindsey in both cases, would get all of the money from both.
The contributions for both combined projects are set to total £10.4m which would solely go to East Lindsey.
Coun Worth told the council: “You can imagine the difference if it was shared around the authorities.
“I’ve written to the MPs and letters to the minister and they are promising to look at it.
“This is ancient regulation that is simply not fair. To get a small part of that would play a massive difference to our budget.”
Coun Bryan Alcock asked if Coun Worth had questioned his counterpart at East Lindsey.
The meeting was told that might not be lawful though.
“I have spoken to the East Lindsey leader and though sympathetic, the option to share it would have to go through their Full Council if they felt that was appropriate,” Coun Worth said. “We are lobbying quite hard and we’ve had a sympathetic response from ministers too as we have with our bid to change the funding around drainage boards as well. If I’m honest I think the government are looking at it, but the local government review will overtake the issue.”