Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

The Council uses S106 contributions to mitigate the impact of development on facilities and amenities in Cambridge. Through its 2021 generic S106 funding round, the Council has invited proposals for improvements to open spaces and play areas, focused on those parts of the city where the relevant generic S106 funding is still available.

 

Sixteen proposals for improvements to open spaces and play areas have been received through this 2021 funding round. The Council thanks all those who have taken the time and effort to apply. The proposals have been assessed against the relevant S106 selection criteria. Seven (either in whole or in part) were eligible, affordable and ready to be allocated S106 funding now. A number of other eligible proposals were also being actively considered, subject to S106 funding availability. In addition, three other projects allocated S106 funding in the 2020 round were recommended for additional funding, which has become available.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Open Spaces, Sustainable Food and Community Wellbeing

Recommendations i, ii & iv were subject to business case approval and project completion or significant progress within 18 months.

 

      i.          Allocated informal open space generic S106 funding to the following projects (see the assessments in paragraphs 4.1-4.2 and Appendix B of the Officer’s report).

 

Table 1: Recommended 2021 S106 funding proposals

 

No.	Project proposal	S106 funding
2.1.1	Alexandra Garden Rec: additional seating (West Chesterton ward)	£5,000
2.1.2	Jesus Green: seating, benches and additional trees (Market ward)	£13,000
2.1.3	Midsummer’s Common community orchard: improved seating, bins, paths and new raised beds (Market ward)	£15,000
2.1.4	Coldham’s Lane play area: benches, bins noticeboards (Romsey ward)	£10,000
2.1.5	Parker’s Piece tree-planting: supplement for information boards (Market ward)	Up to £5,100
2.1.6	Trumpington Rec Ground environmental enhancements (Trumpington ward)	£70,000

 

     ii.          Delegated authority to the Director of Neighbourhoods & Communities to allocate open space and play area generic S106 funding formerly from Trumpington ward but now in Petersfield, still available for eligible open space and play improvements in Petersfield (see paragraphs 4.3‑ 4.4). This could include some play area improvements at St Barnabas Court play area. These allocations would be in consultation with Petersfield councillors, the Executive Councillor for Open Spaces, Sustainable Food and Community Wellbeing, Opposition Spokes and the Chair of the Environment and Communities Scrutiny Committee.

   iii.          Instructed officers to seek detailed updated estimates of the likely construction costs of the Coldham’s Common BMX track improvement project and to take appropriate follow-up action (see paragraph 4.5 of the Officer’s report).

 

   iv.          Allocated additional informal open spaces S106 funding to the following projects supported in the 2020 S106 funding round (paragraph 4.6 of the Officer’s report).

 

Table 2: Recommended additional allocations to existing projects

 

No.	Project proposal	S106 funding
2.4.1	Chesterton Recreation Ground wheelsports project: landscaping (East Chesterton ward)	£15,000
2.4.2	Five Trees open space: wildflower and tree-planting (East Chesterton ward)	Up to  £10,000
2.4.3	Pearl Close play area and community garden improvements (East Chesterton ward)	£5,000

 

    v.          Instructed officers to take a more targeted approach for the 2022 generic S106 funding round to seeking eligible proposals for open space and play improvements from the remaining generic S106 funds, with a greater focus on dialogue with councillors (see paragraph 4.7 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 Streets and Open Spaces Development Manager.

 

In response to the report Councillors asked why Donkey Common (skate park) was not allocated funding? The Streets and Open Spaces Development Manager said the project did not meet eligibility criteria. Offices had engaged with proposers already and signposted alternative streams to s106 where limited funding was left to allocate in Petersfield Ward.

 

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.