The Committee’s approval was sought for plans to spend Section 106 monies arising from a planning application in 2018 granted for the development of the Runnymede Campus at Coopers Hill Lane in Englefield Green.

Members were advised that part of the planning conditions, requirements in relation to Section 106 payments were stipulated, and covered expenditure incurred by Runnymede and Surrey County Council.  Of particular relevance to the Committee, was the use of sums relating to Community Support Facilities and the Minor Projects Contribution.

Officers had taken the opportunity to review how money was awarded to organisations and projects in Englefield Green, to ensure they would be in line with new governance arrangements for the allocation of developer contributions, approved by Corporate Management Committee in January 2023, to increase transparency and community engagement and prioritise projects specifically in relation to community support and infrastructure.  This presented a move away from funding allocation being largely determined by local ward Councillors, whilst still retaining their valuable input into the process.

The Community Supports Facilities totalled £400,000 and the Minor Projects Contribution amounted to £85,253. 

Five projects had already been awarded funding since the launch of the former Minor Projects Grant Scheme, totalling £17,402.  Officers intended for this to continue but to have a more formal application process and to increase the grant sum for each project from £5,000 to £7,000. 

Following consideration by Officers and ward Councillors, it was proposed that a Developer Contributions Advisory Group would recommend to Corporate Management Committee which applications should be supported.  This included applications already submitted for a commemorative clock, a replacement shed for the Englefield Green Scout Group and for maintenance of the St Jude’s Church clock.  Members were asked to note that these would not automatically receive funding but would be considered alongside other applications.

With regard to Community Support Facilities; £67,763 had been allocated to The Village Centre and the Kings Lane Bike Ramp (a project still in progress as to what facility would be provided), leaving £332,237 available for other projects which could be spent directly by the Council or in partnership with others.  As with the Minor Projects, it was suggested that recommendations from the Advisory Group would be considered by Corporate Management Committee.  With regard to Kings Lane Members commented that there was an impetus to look at the whole site and its best use, in consultation with residents and the local rugby club.

Officers had already undertaken some detailed preparatory work to ensure timely and meaningful engagement with the community.

For both funding pots, Officers were asked to consider suitable platforms (e.g. on-line Citizens lab/facebook) for communication and engagement with residents and interested parties including people involved with the forthcoming Englefield Green Neighbourhood Plan.

Officers agreed to provide a provisional timetable for potential projects and implementation.  The intention was to utilise the Section 106 monies within the next 18 months.  The planning application stipulated 7 years from the last occupation date and Officers were led to understand not all properties had been sold yet.  However, to avoid any potential risk in this area, it was proposed the money would be allocated over the next 18 months (by December 2025).

Members were pleased to support the proposals and the opportunity to work closely with residents of Englefield Green to make improvements to the infrastructure, as well as support local projects.

RESOLVED that –

i)          Members approve the proposed delivery of the revised small grantscheme for Englefield Green for grants of up to £7,000 in valueutilising the S106 allocation set aside for Minor Projects, as set outin sections 3.9 – 3.12 of the report; and

ii)         Members approve the process outlined for the identification ofprojects and decision-making process on funding, related to themajor projects fund, as set out in sections 4.7 – 4.9 of the report