Agenda item

Purpose of Report

The report seeks to provide an overview to the Planning Committee on the monitoring of Section 106.

Officer Report

The Economy Growth Officer presented the report. The purpose of which was to provide an overview to the Planning Committee on the monitoring of Section 106.

Members’ Questions

Councillor S. Chambers thanked the officer for the report. She noted that one of the S106 agreements required further investigation was in her ward and asked what investigation was required. In response, the Economic Growth Officer stated that it related specifically to a Parks and Open Spaces allocation would follow up on this query and get back to Councillor S. Chambers once a pathway forward had been agreed upon with OneLegal.

In response to an additional question about a discrepancy in figures for an S106 agreement, the Economic Growth Officer explained that she had amalgamated the sums, but if the Committee wished, future updates would include a more detailed breakdown. Councillor S. Chambers noted that this would be helpful. 

In response to a query by Councillor S. Chambers regarding how the Council ensured that an applicant provided affordable homes for a site, the Economic Growth Officer noted that a few options had been considered to follow up on triggers for releasing S106 funds and would be trialled. She added that she would report back to the member and then to the Planning Committee.

The Vice-Chair asked for a further breakdown of the S106 for the Former Gloucester Academy at Estcourt Close. The Economic Growth Officer stated that she would provide this.

In response to a query by Councillor A. Chambers about whether the POS total remaining was £2,991,823.76, the Economic Growth Officer clarified that there was an amendment to this figure in the late material, and the correct amount was £2,981,187.58. He further asked if the money for parks would be available for use in wards. The Economic Growth Officer responded that this would depend on the S106 agreement, as some funds were allocated to specific sites.

In response to a concern that money might end up back with a developer if the S106 funding was not spent, the Economic Growth Officer noted that the column indicating risk showed no risk of this happening for any current S106 agreements, apart from one historic case, which amounted to £7,501.32 (or roughly £7,500). She added that she had spoken to OneLegal about this and hoped to have a resolution before the next Committee meeting.

The Vice-Chair noted that it was a very useful document.

Councillor Jones noted that the report stated a further 87 affordable homes ‘may’ be delivered at the Great Western Site and asked if there was any further information on this. The Economic Growth Officer responded that she would provide an update in future discussions, but she believed that there were ongoing conversations between the developer and the Council.

In response to a question from Councillor Marshall regarding the former Colwell School, the Economic Growth Officer said that she would contact the Housing Team for information and provide Councillor Marshall with a response.

Councillor Lewis thanked the Economic Growth Officer for the report.

RESOLVED that the Planning Committee NOTE the report.