Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

The purpose of S106 developer contributions is to help mitigate the impact of development. The report set out the next steps to identify future S106-funded projects for improving community facilities, outdoor sports and indoor sports in Cambridge.

 

S106 funding is limited and unevenly spread across the city. Not only have official regulations restricted the amount of new, specific S106 contributions coming in since 2015, but the availability of remaining generic S106 contributions has been running down as it has been allocated and spent through funding rounds in recent years.

 

Generic S106 funding rounds would only consider applications for community facility improvements in those wards where there is £10,000 or more available.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

Agreed:

       i.          The process for annual, generic S106 funding rounds for community facilities, for as long as there is generic S106 funding available (see paragraphs 4.6 - 4.8 of the Officer’s report);

     ii.          That, where there is less than £10,000 of generic community facilities S106 funding available in a ward, this could be used to supplement spend on appropriate local projects identified for specific S106 contributions (see paragraph 4.4 of the Officer’s report);

   iii.          To note that proposals for the use of generic, outdoor and indoor sports S106 funding will come forward to this Committee as and when they are ready, in line with strategic priorities (see paragraphs 5.1 – 5.2 of the Officer’s report);

   iv.          To allocate generic outdoor sports S106 funding to the following grant-based projects, subject to planning permission, business case approval and community use agreements (paragraph 5.3 and Appendix E of the Officer’s report)

a.    up to £65,000 outdoor sports contributions towards the improvement and upgrade of outdoor sports courts and the artificial pitch at Chesterton Community College and

b.    up to £45,000 of outdoor sports contributions for floodlighting improvements and training pitch provision at Cambridge Rugby Club;

    v.          To add the following community facilities to the ‘target list’ to be used as a starting point for identifying possible specific contributions: Clay Farm Centre, Storey’s Field Centre, Nightingale Avenue Pavilion, and new community facilities at the Cromwell Road development and at the former Mill Road Depot site (see paragraphs 6.5 – 6.6 of the Officer’s report);

   vi.          To agree the updated approach for identifying specific S106 contributions for community facilities in those parts of the city where there are not Council-owned or managed community facilities nearby (see paragraph 6.7 and Appendix F of the Officer’s report); and

 vii.          To instruct officers to make all city councillors aware of the evidence-based target lists for play areas and open spaces that are used as a starting point for negotiating specific S106 contributions (see paragraph 6.12 of the Officer’s report).

 

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.

 

The Community Funding and Development Manager updated the committee on the East Barnwell Centre project. A grant was allocated in 2013, the project scope then changed, but was now being firmed up. The Community Funding and Development Manager was willing to update ward councillors on progress if requested to.

 

The Urban Growth Project Manager had reviewed historic collections of s106 contributions to ensure monies used appropriately and in a timely manner.

 

The Sport & Recreation Manager said a report would be brought back to committee in future regarding s106 spent on sports facilities.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.