Document S106 Englefield Green Minor and Major Projects Fund

The Committee’s approval was sought to award, ringfence and reject funding to a number of organisations that had applied to the Section 106 Englefield Green Minor and Major Project Funds.

Members recalled that sums derived in connection with the development of the Runnymede campus at Coopers Hill Lane in Englefield Green (planning ref: RU.17/1649) consisted of the following schemes and values:

The Committee had previously approved funding totalling £48,901 to 8 organisations leaving a remaining balance against the minor projects contribution of £36,352.

Members discussed the findings of the Councillor/Officer panels that had met to determine which projects should be supported and agreed that the application submitted by St Jude’s Church for £3,500 for church lighting be approved.  It was agreed that an application from Browns Community Services be rejected because the application lacked detail on project partners and previous successes.  It was also agreed to ringfence an amount of £5,000 FOR Coopers Hill Tennis Club, pending some further project details being received.

Officers in Community Services confirmed that the funding allocated to a bike ramp at Kings Lane had been returned to the funding pot, making a total of £349,288 from which to award funding, and the remaining balance in the Major Projects Fund once recommended grants had been approved would be £51,487.  Officers were keen to resume dialogue with the Egham Hollowegians Rugby Club and mindful of assistance that would be needed from colleagues in different business centres to come to a resolution on various matters.

In terms of Major Projects, the Committee noted that although they supported funding a replacement play area on Englefield Green in the sum of £35,899, this was subject to the approval of the Englefield Green Committee, both to determine whether to replace the play equipment and if so, how to fund it.

Members agreed with the Panel to reject the Council’s application in respect of the Cherrywood playground and to ringfence funding for The Village Centre (£29,940), pending their submission of more information, including three quotes for the kitchen refurbishment and to delegate a decision on this to the Corporate Head of Community Services and the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee.

In respect of the Journey Church it was also considered sensible to ringfence a sum up to a maximum of £200,000 for 18 months because this was a large financial commitment which required a further report to the Committee to determine whether the application should be supported.  The Committee also agreed to ringfence a sum of £31,962 for the Council’s Kings Lane Community Garden and to review this in 12 months’ time.  Officers assured the Committee that by ringfencing these three projects there was sufficient time to allocate funds before the expiry of the S106 pot which would only happen after 7 years from when the last unit was let.

Officers in Community Services were asked to liaise with colleagues in Planning concerning the input of the National Trust in progressing the Coopers Hill bicycle route.  Members were keen that this was followed up given the speed of traffic in the area.

Resolved that –

i)     the recommended successful applications to the s106 Minor and Major Projects Fund be approved, noting that a replacement play area at The Green on Englefield Green and how that is funded is subject to the approval of the Englefield Green Committee; 

ii)     Members agree to ringfence the requested amount relating to the Village Centre and Runnymede Borough Council applications, where further discussion or information is required, and that the decision to award a grant be delegated to the Corporate Head of Community Services, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Community Services Committee; and

iii)  Members agree to ringfence the requested amount relating to the application by Journey Church, for a period of 18 months and final approval and award of any grant sum to Journey Church is subject to a further report to Members, where project detail, mirroring the requirements of Your Fund Surrey, is to be presented, to enable Members of Community Services Committee to make a final decision to make a grant award