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The Committee
received a report from Tim Wetherfield, the Urban Growth Project Manager
regarding the local project proposals received during the S106 bidding round last
summer and options for the use of surplus play equipment from the Vie
development in East Chesterton. The Area Committee’s priority-setting decisions
on the local project proposals were set in the context of new S106 income
tapering off and S106 funding availability running down. Those projects that
were prioritised by the Area Committee would undergo local consultation and
project appraisal, as appropriate.
Members welcomed
the fact that many of the proposals were community-driven.
In response to questions,
the Urban Growth Manager confirmed that:
Q1. Paul Ashley
The Methodist Church appreciated the support
received from officers and understands why the project was not being
recommended at this stage. The church would welcome any help that might be
available at a later date.
A. Councillor
Manning suggested that there might be Community Infrastructure Funding,
available from the Station development, in the future.
Q2. Councillor Pitt
What is the situation regarding community use
agreements if a school/academy (which receives S106 funding) subsequently
changes hands?
A. Ian Ross,
Sports and Recreations Manager, confirmed that community use agreements were
stringent and addressed the possibility of changes of ownership. In the event
that agreed levels of community use ceased to be made available, the agreements
included conditions enabling grant-funding to be reclaimed.
Q3. Member of the Public
Residents from the Bateson Green area are here and
would appreciate support for their project.
Q4. Member of the Public
Additional play facilities in the Bateson Green
area would bring a big improvement to the area.
The Committee
received a selection of drawings from children who use the green on Bateson
Road to demonstrate the sort of play equipment they would like to see.
Turning to the use
of surplus play equipment from the Vie development, the Urban Growth Project
Manager outlined three options for installing the equipment at nearby play
areas.
Members expressed
their support for Option B.
Resolved (unanimously):
i.
(Recommendation 2.1) Prioritised the following
local project proposals for the use of devolved S106 contributions from North
Area, subject to project appraisal and community use agreement, as appropriate:
a. an outdoor sports grant of up to £100,000 for four tennis courts at
North Cambridge Academy (subject to planning permission);
b. a community facilities grant of up to
£71,000 for eligible community facility improvements at the Rowan centre on Humberstone Road; and
c. up to £52,500 for open space landscaping
and play area improvements at Bateson Green.
ii.
(Recommendation 2.2) Selected Option B for
installing surplus play equipment (originally ordered for play area at the Vie
development in East Chesterton) at nearby play areas, subject to further
consultation with local ward councillors on the detailed arrangements.
Option
B: Dundee Close play area (roughly half the play equipment) plus Discovery Way
and Scotland Road play areas (roughly a quarter each).
iii.
(Recommendation 2.3) Approved the allocation of
devolved S106 funding (around £33,500) for the installation and associated
safety surfacing needed to deliver Option B (Recommendation ii. above) from the
play area and informal open space contribution types, as appropriate.