Redbridge Council is set to review its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule, aiming to stimulate development across the borough by encouraging commercial developments and removing barriers for essential health and education related-uses to support a growing population.
The decision, approved at a Cabinet meeting on 16 October 2025, will see the publication of a draft charging schedule for a six-week public consultation. The move comes as the council seeks to update its CIL policy, which was first implemented in 2012, and to ensure the charges remain appropriate reflecting market changes.
Councillor Vanisha Solanki, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, presented the report, highlighting the need to revise the charging schedule to encourage development in the borough. The proposed changes in the draft CIL Charging Schedule compared to the 2012 schedule include removing CIL charges on educational and health related developments, and reducing the CIL rate for commercial floorspace to a level comparable with other outer London Boroughs. The council will keep the same charges for residential uses as these rates remain appropriate for the current markets. The proposed rates are:
| Development Use | Base CIL Charge Per SQM |
|---|---|
| Educational | £0 |
| Health | £0 |
| Retail | £10 |
| Industrial & Warehouses | £10 |
| Offices | £10 |
| Hotels | £10 |
| All other uses | £70 |
The recommendations approved include:
- Publishing the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule for a six-week public consultation in line with the Council's Statement of Community Involvement and the requirements under CIL regulations.
- Delegating authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with Councillor Vanisha Solanki, to approve minor amendments to the statement of representations and the CIL Draft Charging Schedule following the public consultation.
- Delegating authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with Councillor Vanisha Solanki, to submit the Draft CIL Charging Schedule to an independent examiner for examination in public, provided there are no substantive modifications required after the consultation.
- Approving the updated Infrastructure Delivery Plan for publication on the council's website, with delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with Councillor Vanisha Solanki, to make minor amendments, corrections, and clarifications.
The council first implemented its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule in 2012 and government guidance states the schedule should be reviewed regularly to ensure the charges remain appropriate reflecting market changes. The draft CIL Charging Schedule is subject to formal public consultation as per the regulatory process. Further approvals will be required for submission of the CIL Charging for examination; and adoption Schedule via Full Council.
The report noted that the current CIL Charging Schedule applies charges to all types of development including Educational and Health related developments. This places extra financial burdens and limits the development of much needed and essential health facilities. Neither the Mayor of London nor other boroughs charge for education or health. The Department for Education have also advised the Council that they will not fund works due to CIL being charged.
The Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) sets out the baseline and forecasted infrastructure needs and costs for the borough and is updated as part of the CIL Charging Schedule Review. It serves as a baseline evidence base for identifying need and costs for essential infrastructure in Redbridge. The IDP is used to inform decisions on infrastructure delivery, for example, the allocation of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) receipts to projects, and site specific requirements within Local Plan site allocations. The updated IDP will need publishing to support the draft CIL Charging Schedule review as well as directing funding for new infrastructure.
Following the six-week consultation period, if there are minor and/or no modifications to be made, the document will be approved under delegated authority and submitted to the examiner. Should there be any major modifications following public consultation, the document will be updated and submitted to Cabinet for approval before submitting to the examiner. Any substantive modifications to the Draft CIL Charging Schedule following consultation will require the document to return to Cabinet for approval prior to submission for examination. The examiner will assess the document and provide a report with recommendations and/or modifications. The Council will then consider them and modify the charging schedule accordingly. The final CIL Charging Schedule will be submitted to full Council for adoption. Upon confirmation, a date will be set for the implementation of the new CIL Charging Schedule and publication.
In a related decision, the cabinet also approved a change in governance to expedite CIL relief consideration and decisions for sums over £250,000. This authority will now be delegated to the Executive Director of Place, Communities and Enterprise, in consultation with Councillor Vanisha Solanki. Prompt decisions will enable developments which have been granted CIL relief to commence building works sooner, leading to the quicker delivery of essential infrastructure such as affordable housing. The report noted that the council's current constitution places a financial limit on the approval of sums of over £0.250m under the officer scheme of delegation, meaning that approvals must be obtained via the Cabinet approval process. This process has significant impact on resources and delays approving valid CIL relief decisions as it can take more than 3 months to make a decision via Cabinet.
