Issue - decisions

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) instalment policy in the UK planning system is defined by the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended), particularly Regulation 69B and 70. Its purpose is to allow developers to pay CIL liabilities in staged payments rather than a single lump sum.

The National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) is clear that an instalment policy can assist the viability and delivery of development by taking account of financial restrictions (NPPG Paragraph: 128 Reference ID: 25-128-20190901). It also notes that the charging authority has freedom to decide the number of payments, the amount of each payment and the time due.

Paragraph 69B of the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended) details the requirements of a CIL Instalment Policy, and how it may be amended. In particular, it is noted that the Instalment Policy must include:
• the date on which it takes effect, which must be no earlier than the day after the instalment policy is published on the website;
• the number of instalment payments;
• the amount or proportion of CIL payable in any instalments;
• The time that the first, and any subsequent, instalment payments are due.

The Instalment Policy should be available for inspection at the Council’s main offices, should be available on the Council’s website, and a new instalment policy may not take effect earlier than 28 days from the date on which the previous instalment policy took effect.

Where no Instalment Policy is in place, payment is due in full at the end of 60 days after the intended commencement date of development.

The CIL Charging Schedule was approved by Council on 6 November 2025 for implementation on 01 February 2026. As part this decision, it was agreed to delegate to the Director of City Development a review of the Instalment Policy previously consulted on and submitted for consideration at Examination. This decision is to approve, publish, and notify about, the revised Instalment Policy as per the agreed delegation.

Annex A presents a review of the approach and evidence to support a revised Instalment Policy, including consideration of alternatives. Annex B presents the revised Instalment Policy for implementation.

The revised Instalment Policy has been drafted to respond to changes in CIL income arising from the CIL Charging Schedule as adopted. It is recognised that the CIL rates as adopted have been accepted by an independent examiner as affordable for the majority of typologies; a revised instalment timetable would speed up CIL receipts and support infrastructure delivery.