Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on the funds held under Section 106 (S106) planning agreements and CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy).

The Panel received a report which provided an update on the funds held under Section 106 planning agreements and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

The Council currently held funds from S106 agreements totalling approximately £3.8m.  From this balance £2m was committed within the capital programme for such items as affordable housing or earmarked for schemes awaiting further approval.  Included within this balance was £236,000 which needed to be transferred to Surrey County Council and other organisations as they were responsible for utilising these funds.

The Council currently held funds from CIL totalling approximately £2.8m. From this balance, following the Council’s withdrawal of its contribution towards the Banstead Sustainable Transport Package, £556,000 was committed within the capital programme for such items as Plan E and revenue to fund delivery of the Local Plan in 2016/17 and 2017/18. The Council had withdrawn its contribution to the BSTP as it had not been demonstrated that the scheme would help to deliver new development within this Borough, specifically Epsom Town Centre.

It was highlighted to the Panel that there was a typographical error in paragraph 2.4 of the report. The figure quoted in this paragraph should have been £1,043 and not £859,000 (to match the amount of earmarked funds quoted in the table).

The Council currently held no S106 agreements which had reached their expiry dates.  However, it was noted that of the currently uncommitted contributions, a number currently had no use identified.  Officers had delegated authority to spend up to £10,000 without reference to Committee but would discuss with the Chairman how S106 money might be allocated in the future.

The Panel was further requested to support the use of S106 funds to fund the increase in the cost (£8,500) of the scheme to replace multi-play equipment in Poole Road Recreation Ground from the following sources:

Accordingly, the Panel:

(1)          Noted the current position on S106 funds held by the authority;

(2)          Noted the current position on CIL funds held by the authority;

(3)          Supported the use of S106 funds for the increase in Poole Road Recreation Ground play equipment scheme (£8,500).