Agenda item

S106 Delivery Report

Minutes:

The Committee considered a schedule setting out details of S106 contributions held by the Council on behalf of infrastructure providers and the progress of schemes funded by S106 contributions, including spend by dates.  The Development Manager explained that:

 

·  The schedule had been prepared on a different basis from previously partly as a result of feedback from the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Political Group Spokespersons and partly as a result of the S106 Internal Audit report which recommended that Members be provided with more information in terms of project delivery. 

 

·  The Council was holding just over £2m of S106 contributions for public open space and recreation projects.  It was also holding healthcare contributions of £927k on behalf of NHS England until the appropriate project was identified and the monies were requested for release. 

 

·  A “traffic light” system was being used to ensure that spend by dates were not missed in order to avoid having to repay contributions.

 

·  In terms of the S106 contributions held for public open space and recreation projects, any issues raised by Members would be fedback to the Parks and Leisure Team, and arrangements could be made for members of the Team to attend a future meeting of the Committee to answer questions if required.

 

In response to questions by Members, the Development Manager undertook to:

 

·  Seek clarification and update Members on the use of the balance of the S106 contribution for projects to mitigate the impact of application 12/2314 (Next Store) on the town centre.

 

·  Arrange for the schedule to be submitted to the Committee on a quarterly basis.

 

During the discussion, concerns were expressed about the age of some of the applications listed in the schedule; the proposed commencement dates for some projects, which could be affected by unforeseen events, compared to spend by dates; the impact on community infrastructure as a result of projects being delayed; and the risk of S106 monies having to be repaid.  It was suggested that there was an urgent need for a Delivery Officer within the Planning Service to ensure that projects funded by S106 contributions/CIL are implemented, and that this should be taken forward as part of the review of the Planning Service.

 

The Development Manager explained that there could be a time lag between planning permission being granted and the implementation of projects depending on when triggers were set in the S106 legal agreements.  Also, developers used to have up to five years to commence development from the date of permission being granted.  As part of the emerging Local Plan there were mechanisms in place to monitor effectiveness in delivery of the Plan including mitigation projects which might be funded by S106 contributions/CIL.

 

It was suggested that, in addition, consideration be given as to whether a Key Performance Indicator could be set to measure performance in the delivery of projects funded by S106 contributions/CIL.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.  That the information set out in the schedule be noted.

 

2.  That it be recommended that, as part of the review of the Planning Service, provision should be made for a Delivery Officer within the Service to ensure that projects funded by S106 contributions/CIL are implemented.

 

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 – Abstentions

 

3.  That the Development Manager be requested to discuss with the Policy and Information Team whether a Key Performance Indicator can be set to measure performance in the delivery of projects funded by S106 contributions/CIL, and to report back to a future meeting on the outcome of the discussion.

 

Voting:  12 – For  0 – Against  0 - Abstentions

 

Supporting documents: