The Department for Communities and Local Government has confirmed that it has dropped plans for local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) to be given a veto over the infrastructure levy.
The new levy would be brought in under the Local Government Finance Bill, which contains no mention of previous plans to allow private sector members of LEPs to be able to vote down the ‘supplement’.
Extra charges would be imposed by either the Greater London Authority or a mayoral combined authority under the current plans in order to raise funds for infrastructure projects - not including housing - that will promote economic development.
Ahead of the upcoming mayoral elections, communities secretary Sajid Javid told Transport Network: ‘We have no plans to change what has already been set out.’
This was later clarified by his department, which stated there are no plans to re-introduce the veto through secondary legislation or other means.
The move to drop the veto was welcomed by the LGA.
A person will be liable to the levy if they are subject to a non-domestic rate in respect of a property.
The maximum levy that can be charged has been set at 2p per pound of rateable value.
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