Community Infrastructure Levy review scheme

West Berkshire Council has started issuing discretionary payments to homeowners who became liable for Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments due to mistakes made when completing paperwork.

Anyone building their own house, residential annexes or extending their homes may be exempt from CIL payments but must first complete paperwork to be formally assessed as being exempt. Where the paperwork was not filled out correctly those householders have found themselves liable to CIL charges and subsequent enforcement action if these weren't paid. 

A new discretionary review scheme has so far considered seven applications - and found that six were charged when they would have been exempt had the paperwork been completed properly. Those homeowners will be receiving discretionary payments between £12,000 and £40,000.

West Berkshire Council is believed to be the first local authority to review CIL payments and to make discretionary payments where residents have made mistakes with the paperwork.

The move has been welcomed by the Leader of West Berkshire Council, Councillor Jeff Brooks, who commented that this is right thing for the Council to do and underlines a commitment to listen to residents and to act with fairness, integrity, and a focus on customers.