Agenda item

The Committee first considered progress updates on the CIL and S106 funded projects approved at the 2018 Area Committee meeting as follows:

Councillors expressed their frustration that the projects approved had not been completed or had taken longer than they expected.

With reference to Parks projects, funding had been agreed however none of the four projects had been completed.  Officers apologised for the delay which was largely an issue of resources.  Increased resource had been allocated to the Delivery Team however, their team did not have a full complement of staff.  An email would be sent to Councillors once a delivery schedule had been established. (ACTION: Richard Fletcher)

Councillor Morris made the Councillors aware that of the money allocated to each project (for CIL allocations) there would likely be a 20% reduction once costs for management and a contingency fund had been deducted.  For example, the Cottle Road Play Park award of £40,000 amounted to £32,000 following deductions.  

It was noted that section 106 allocations did not require extra funds for delivery.

There was concern that Members of the public considered quotes obtained through Council procedures higher than those acquired by the community.  Members of the public were aware how much equipment costs and were frustrated that they could not affect change themselves.  Officers confirmed that two or three quotes were sought and often the cheapest would be awarded the contract.  Suppliers needed to be on the Council’s approved list and due consideration needed to be given to insurance and maintenance.

With reference to transport items, Councillor Clough asked for an update on the dropped kerbs in her ward that had been allocated funds three years prior.  It was agreed that Councillor Clough would seek further information from officers regarding where the funds currently sat. (ACTION: Mark Sperduty)

Councillor Morris was concerned that S106 projects that were time sensitive could lose their money allocated due to the delay in delivery.  Mowberry Road was highlighted as an allocation of £30,000 and officers were asked to update Councillor Morris with progress (ACTION: Mark Sperduty)

With reference to all types of projects, it was agreed that Communications from officers could be improved, including information about which officer was leading the projects and its current status.  Councillors were often the middle person between the community and the Council and needed the right information in order to communicate effectively.  Officers agreed to send updated information to Members asap (ACTION: Mark Sperduty)

At the end of August 2019 there was a total of £322,944.21 available to Area Committee 6; of which £188,179.06 was committed to approved projects.  This left a total of £134,765.15 available to allocate.

Members were then presented with the table in the report:

Members reiterated to officers that residents in communities had carried out a great deal of the groundwork for the projects and would be disappointed if schemes were not progressed in a timely manner.

The geographical make-up of the area committees was also highlighted.  It was suggested that it had resulted in an unequal distribution of funds from developments which benefitted the city centre area most and the outer city areas, often of least development and highest deprivation, the least. 

It was agreed that the unsuccessful bids would not be carried over to the next year and organisations would be informed, but new invitations for proposals would be announced when appropriate.

Each of the proposals had been set out in full within the report presented to the Committee. 

It was then RESOLVED:

1. That the progress of those projects approved at the 10th September 2018 meeting be noted.

2. That the projects invited to submit Stage 2 full Proposals and those not invited or not able to proceed, be noted;

3. That the CIL and S106 monies available at 31st August 2019 and the option of pre-committing future CIL receipts to support the proposals in this paper, be noted;

4. That the stage 2 proposals submitted for consideration and as set out above, including any relevant conditions and/or eligible S106 monies, in order to conserve CIL for future use, be approved;

5. That priorities not coming forward for decision at this meeting are not retained but that communities be informed that they could re-apply for next year’s funding if the Project remained valid;

6. That the legal information concerning the Public Sector Equality duty in reaching all its decisions be noted.