Botesdale and Rickinghall Parish Infrastructure Investment Plan (PIIP)


In 2021, a joint Botesdale and Rickinghall steering group drafted a PIIP which was approved by both Parish Councils in October 2021.

Download the Botesdale and Rickinghall PIIP
 

What is a PIIP?

Due to the potential for new CIL income, it can be a good idea for Parish Councils to develop a PIIP. This helps them to identify and prioritise the infrastructure needs of their community and future spending decisions. PIIPs are optional, non-statutory documents that do not form part of the Babergh Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan and are not a material planning consideration.

Why create a PIIP?

PIIPs can help Parish Councils to:

  • Identify the infrastructure and investment needs within their community
  • Provide an evidence base for spending decisions on locally identified priorities
  • Identify sources of funding and opportunities for matching funding streams to make the most efficient use of income
  • Assist with external funding bids - providing evidence of local investment needs and priorities
  • Provide transparency to local communities - explain where local investment is being targeted
  • Encourage engagement by members of the community who use / will use the facilities and services being delivered
  • Provide a local perspective to help the district councils gain a better understanding of the communities’ priorities

What is infrastructure?

There are typically 3 broad categories of infrastructure:

  • Physical infrastructure: e.g. highways, transport links, cycleways, energy supply, water, flood alleviation, waste management
  • Social infrastructure: e.g. education, health, social care, emergency services, art and culture, sports halls, community halls
  • Green infrastructure: e.g. parks, woodlands, play areas, public open space

What other funding is available?

Funds can often go much further when they are pooled together. Other sources of funding include:

  • The CIL allocations of Neighbouring parishes
  • Section 106 monies (subject to the legal restrictions relating to these funds) • Local government grants and other external funding streams
  • The District Council’s portion of CIL income

Matching up the Parish Council’s CIL with other income streams may mean larger, more vital projects can be completed sooner. If their priorities are aligned, the Parish Council may agree that the District Council should retain the CIL to spend on infrastructure, for example for a school, community hall, or road which falls outside of the Parish’s administrative area but will support the development of the area. Often, the infrastructure which is essential to address the needs within an area is not limited to a single Parish, and so CIL spending can be enhanced if it is co-ordinated across one or more neighbouring parishes.

The District Councils are preparing an Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) as part of the Joint Local Plan to identify the infrastructure priorities across the districts. This document is available to use to identify potential collaboration between Parish and District councils and identify where funding gaps exists. Communities are also encouraged to consider other funding options, for instance applying for grant and other suitable funding to maximise benefit for communities and deliver the projects.

How will the District Councils spend their CIL money?

The District Councils each publish a Regulation 123 list which indicates what their share of CIL money will be spent on. The Regulation 123 Lists can be found on the CIL Spending webpage on the councils CIL and s106 webpages.

What should the PIIP be based upon?

The PIIP should be evidence-based, identifying current/existing infrastructure, and assessing the impact of new development on this infrastructure. Sometimes this process can also identify gaps in infrastructure provision, for example identified growth in the numbers young or older people but a lack of facilities for them locally.

As infrastructure investment decisions affect all members of a community, the parish council should make efforts to engage as many people as possible in the process.

The PIIP should also be responsive to changes in development and infrastructure. So that it remains a reliable tool for decision-making, it is recommended that PIIPs are reviewed regularly.

How and where should the PIIP be published?

The PIIP is published above on the Parish Council website and a hard copy can be made available for those without internet access. A copy of the PIIP has also been sent to the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Infrastructure Team. This is not only so that they have a record of our actions but so that they understand the Parish’s intentions and support us to work together to achieve the communities’ aspirations and objectives.

Where can I get more information?

Download further information on CIL spending and Parish Support from the District Council’s website.