Decision details

To short-list eligible strategic project ideas benefitting more than one area of the city that will be considered in more detail as part of the second round of priority-setting from the developer contributions city-wide fund.

Councillor Reiner

Councillor Reiner addressed the Committee in support of the development of Rouse Ball Pavilion on Jesus Green and made the following comments:

 

     i.        The current pavilion was named after Walter William Rouse Ball, known as W. W. Rouse Ball, who was a fellow at Trinity College in the 19th century. 

    ii.        The Master and Bursar of Trinity are aware that the City Council are considering refurbishing or rebuilding the pavilion and had been invited to make contact so that we could explore ways to renew the links between the pavilion, the City and Trinity College.

   iii.        She requested that the committee considers this favourably and be aware that residents had been campaigning for this for a number of years and had strong feelings for this project.

 

Matter for Decision:

Developer contributions are payments received by the council from property owners/developers to help address the impact of greater demand for facilities arising from development. The council has a devolved decision-making process. Alongside this, half the payments from major developments determined by the Planning Committee go into a city-wide fund for strategic projects in Cambridge to create or improve facilities that would benefit residents more widely. The second priority-setting round is now under way, planning ahead for the next set of projects to be taken forward once first round and on-going projects are completed. The report considered the refreshed list of strategic project ideas for the use of community facilities, and outdoor and indoor sports facilities contributions.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Community Wellbeing:

 

The Executive Councillor resolved to:

 

     i.        Allocate an additional £40k (community facilities) & £25k (outdoor sports/formal open space) to the existing strategic priority project for the Rouse Ball Pavilion development (to which £185k has already been allocated);

    ii.        Prioritise a £25k outdoor sports grant for improved cricket net provision at Netherhall School, so that this can be taken forward now;

   iii.        Defer the second round short-listing of other project ideas for the use of sports facilities contributions in the city-wide fund until the Cambridge Sports Strategy for 2014-17 has been developed; and

  iv.        Noted the consultation feedback on other strategic project ideas relating to the Community Well-being portfolio.

 

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations:

The Committee received a report from the Urban Growth Project Manager regarding the second round of developer contributions priority-setting.

 

The Committee expressed their thanks to the Officer for the amount of detailed work that had gone in to the programme.

 

Members expressed surprise that a commercial concern, such as the Arts Theatre was being considered for S106 funding. It was explained that the list of project ideas reflected the ideas that had been put forward by area committees, local residents, groups and organisations and that a commitment had been given to report a summary of all the feedback received.

 

The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.