Agenda item

The report recommends funding decision on submitted Full Proposal for approval of S106 Tree planting funds 

The Community Resources Manager introduced the report and in discussion the following points were raised:

·         The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) available to the Area Committee totalled £73,458.19 and it was likely that this sum would increase with a more detailed projection available to Members in November 2021. 

·         A Member noted that a CIL deficit of -£21,545.68 had been reported in the previous minutes. The Community Resources Manager clarified that this was due to an overcommitment of funding at that time and stated that where funds were overcommitted the Committee must await a new influx of funding in order cover the deficit and before committing to new projects. 

·         The Section 106 (S106) available to the Area Committee totalled £120,895.30 of which £34,917.18 was designated specifically for tree planting and tree replacement.

·         Members were asked to note that there were a number of CIL and S106 sums that were awarded by Neighbourhood Partnerships prior to 2018 or by the Area Committee which had not been drawn down and some could potentially be ‘unallocated’.  These funds would be investigated further, and an update brought to the November formal Area Committee.  Decisions could then be taken to identify which projects would not or could not be progressed and to confirm where unallocated monies could be restored to the total CIL or S106 funds available to Committee to fund new projects.

The following points were noted in discussion:

·         That monies allocated for the purposes of Greater Bedminster Park improvements could include the planting of trees for that purpose.

·         That with respect to the Way Out West project there was potential that the £15,000 earmarked for reallocation may have been previously assigned to a feasibility study.  The Community Resources Manager clarified that a feasibility study could not in itself be funded by CIL monies.  However, the cost of a feasibility study could be reimbursed by CIL funding once an infrastructure project had been confirmed.  The initial feasibility study cost and risk would need to be borne by the relevant officer team.

·         That Members needed to be provided with sufficient project management information with clear project timelines to support Members to adequately manage the available funds and the ability to track existing projects and spend.

·         That there were concerns regarding payments being made to contractors where the work was not delivered satisfactorily and regarding Members not being informed when projects were either stalled or not proceeding.

·         That Officers should bring forward a proposal that improves communication between Committee and commissioning officers and inserts a sign-off stage in the project timeline which enables Members to hear from project officers that a scheme has been completed to a satisfactory standard prior to payment being made.

·         That the November project update needed to be clear regarding the status of all legacy schemes so opportunities to reallocate money could be easily identified.

·         Councillor Hopkins raised a proposal that Area Committee 5 could work by pairing neighbouring wards.  Councillor Hopkins would bring a proposal for decision to the next meeting planned for November.

The Community Resources Manager advised that there was currently a monitoring report in place for external projects and there was the possibility that this could be adapted for internal projects. Action: The Community Resources Manager to submit a proposal to support improved project monitoring

With reference to the Tree Bristol Tree Planting Proposal, a Member noted that that Queen Jubilee funding for tree planting may be forthcoming in due course.

The Section 106 (S106) available to the Area Committee totalled £120,895.30 of which £34,917.18 was designated specifically for tree planting and tree replacement.

The report set out that Bristol City Council and their partners aimed to plant as many trees as possible in the Local Authority Area.

The requirement was summarised as follows:

In discussion the following points were noted:

·         That Members supported the tree planting proposals.

·         That the Ward Councillor for Brislington East wanted to formally thank Area Committee 6 for the trees approved by that committee which would be planted in Brislington East from AC6 S106 funds.

·         That the Ward Councillor for Brislington West requested an update on the species of trees planned for the ward.

·         That when street trees were selected for removal, these sites should be communicated to the tree team that were responsible for identifying new sites so street trees could be replaced as soon as possible. 

·         It was agreed that The Community Resource Manager invite Tree Bristol and The Tree Forum to the next meeting to provide an overview of the tree planting strategy for the City and enable a broader discussion regarding the Committee’s tree planting aspirations. Action: Community Resource Manager

Following a vote on the report recommendations it was:

RESOLVED that the Committee

1. Noted the proposed update of progress on previously approved projects.

2. Noted the progress of 2021/22 Area Committee process and the decision-making for S106 monies specified for tree planting and replacement

3. Noted the CIL and S106 monies available at 30th June 2021

4. Approved the funding for the S106 Tree Proposal submitted and agreed not to add any conditions.

5. Noted the legal information concerning the Public Sector Equality duty in reaching all its decisions.

6. Approved the allocation of the residue of £482.73 from various S106 to be added to the maintenance fund.