MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL
STRATEGIC PLANNING, SUSTAINABILITY
AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
7 NOVEMBER 2017
REFERENCE FROM PLANNING COMMITTEE
IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHEMES FUNDED BY S106 CONTRIBUTIONS/CIL
The Planning Committee, at its adjourned meeting held on 5 October 2017, 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. It was noted that the Council was holding just over £2m of S106 contributions for public open space and recreation projects. It was also holding healthcare contributions of £1.138m on behalf of NHS England until the monies were requested for release.
During the discussion, concerns were expressed about the age of some of the applications listed in the schedule and the delays in delivering the green infrastructure considered by Members and Officers to be required to allow developments to take place. Members were mindful that the S106 contributions held by the Council would continue to increase as housing developments came on stream, and felt that there was a need to expedite delivery of projects funded by S106 contributions/CIL going forward.
Earlier in the year, it was recommended by the Planning Committee that as part of the review of the Planning Service alternative arrangements be made to ensure that projects funded by S106 contributions/CIL are implemented. At that time there was specific reference to provision being made for a Delivery Officer within the Service. The Committee felt that this recommendation should be followed up through the Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee.
RECOMMENDED: That, as part of the review of the Planning Service, alternative arrangements be made to ensure that projects funded by S106 contributions/CIL are implemented.