Agenda item

Release of S.106 Contributions.

Meeting of Cabinet Grants Panel, Monday, 19th February, 2024 1.00 pm (Item 6.)

Minutes:

Sally Blomfield, Assistant Director Planning and Sustainable Economy introduced the report, which presented the two requests for the release of S106 contributions and the six requests for variations to S106 contributions and/or special conditions for community led projects previously awarded and currently in delivery.

The applications recommended for the release of S106 contributions are set out below:

Organisation	Purpose for which award is sought	Total Project Cost	Award Suggested
Worth Parish Council	New Multi-Use Games Area at Copthorne Recreation Ground	£164,300	£164,300
1^st Copthorne Scout Group	Outdoor space improvements and renewable energy adaptations at the Copthorne Scout & Guide Centre	£115,018	£115,018
TOTAL		£279,318	£279,318

The applications requesting variations to S106 contributions and/or special conditions for community led projects previously awarded and currently in delivery are set out below:

Organisation	Purpose for which awards sought	Changes to S106 award/ changes to Special Conditions
Ansty Village Centre Trust (AVCT)	New village hall and sports pavilion	Project substantially complete. However, there is a need to extend special condition regarding project completion from December 2023 to 31 September 2024
Haywards Heath Rugby Football Club	Rebuilding the clubhouse at Whitemans Green	Increase the amount of S106 allocated toward rebuilding the clubhouse by a further £66,661.47, making a total award of £377,889.59
Mid Sussex District Scouts	Building a new community hall on Council owned land at Barn Cottage Recreation Ground	Increase the amount of S106 allocated toward constructing a new community hall by a further £163,420.50, making a total award of £263,420.50, There is a need to extend special conditions to provide evidence the project can be fully funded from 28 June 2024 to 19 February 2025.
Crawley Down Gatwick Football Club	Installing new dugouts, floodlighting and ball stop fencing at the Haven Sportsfield.	Extend special conditions to provide evidence the project can be fully funded from 31 December 2023 to 30 September 2024; and completion of the project from 31 December 2024 to 30 June 2025
Clarion Futures	Creation of a community space in Stone Quarry, East Grinstead	Extend the special conditions to complete the project from 31 August 2024 to 19 February 2025.
St Francis Social and Sports Club	Swimming pool changing rooms	Extend the special condition to complete the project from 31 March 2024 to 30 June 2024.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Economy and Housing asked what testing the Council carries out on the viability of cost estimates at the outset of projects to avoid applications returning.

The Deputy Chief Executive, Judy Holmes, advised that the Council ensures it carries out due diligence on applications and organisations at the point of application. However, due to the nature of the applications, officers anticipate and expect change, therefore it is important the Council remains flexible and agile in its approach whilst working closely with the organisations. She noted the Budget recommendation for further investment to support the Council in how it secures, manages and allocates S106 payments and the proposed investment in the Community Development Team in anticipation of the proposed housing growth in the District to support communities to develop projects and secure funding. The Assistant Director Planning and Sustainable Economy emphasised the Council works closely with the organisations applying for the funding and the exceptional circumstances over previous years which has led to increased inflation.

As there were no further comments, the Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendations listed in the report, which was agreed unanimously with 5 in favour.

rESOLVED

The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed:

(i) That £164,300 of S106 contributions be released to Worth Parish Council for a new multi-use games area at Copthorne Recreation Ground and that £115,018 of S106 contributions be released to 1st Copthorne Scout Group for outdoor improvements and renewable energy adaptations at the Copthorne Scout & Guide Centre.

(ii) Agreed the amendments to existing release of S106 awards for Ansty Village Centre Trust; Haywards Heath Rugby Football Club Mid Sussex District Scouts, Crawley Down Gatwick Football Club, St Francis Social and Sports Club and Clarion Futures as detailed in Appendix B.

Supporting documents: