To consider motions by Members of the Council under Part 4A, Rule No. 17 of the Council’s Procedure Rules in the order received.

Notice of motion received from Councillor Zerny

"This council understands that Section 106 monies provide an important source of revenue for mitigating the impact of development and enabling schemes to proceed. In order to ensure this funding is focused on the right priorities it is important to ensure that local councillors, parish and unitary, are involved in the process at a point when their input can have material influence.

The council resolves that wherever possible the local parish, and unitary authority member should be consulted by planning officers on what they think should be the priorities for each Section 106 allocation within their ward, and calls on the Chief Executive to put in place measures that will ensure that this happens."

A notice of motion has been received from Councillor Zerny:

“This council understands that Section 106 monies provide an important source of revenue for mitigating the impact of development and enabling schemes to proceed. In order to ensure this funding is focused on the right priorities it is important to ensure that local councillors, parish and unitary, are involved in the process at a point when their input can have material influence.

The council resolves that wherever possible the local parish, and unitary authority member should be consulted by planning officers on what they think should be the priorities for each Section 106 allocation within their ward, and calls on the Chief Executive to put in place measures that will ensure that this happens."

In presenting the motion, Councillor Zerny expressed concern about Town and Parish Councils feeling that they are not being consulted on schemes and developments

Councillor Graham seconded and spoke in favour of the motion. She summarised the importance of the allocation of Section 106 monies and involvement of the engagement of Town and Parish Councils at an early stage in the consultation process.

Councillor Young spoke about legislation governing the allocation of funding  and the engagement of Town and Parish Councils in the planning process. 

Councillor Young proposed an amendment to the motion:

“This council understands that Section 106 monies provide an important source of revenue for mitigating the impact of development and enabling schemes to proceed. In order to ensure this funding is focused on the right priorities it is important to ensure that local councillors, parish and unitary, are involved in the process at a point when their input can have material influence.

In order for this to happen it is important that the local community have established clear local priorities and associated deliverable schemes to match these priorities, against which planning officers can seek funding contributions.  It is the role of local ward councillors to work with local communities, Town and Parish Councils to achieve this.  It is also important that where 106 contributions have been received that there are suitable, qualifying, deliverable local projects rather than funds returned to developers.  Local ward Councillors have a key role in working with local communities and officers to make sure this is achieved.  This Council urges all local councillors to forward plan and work proactively with their communities and Local Town and Parish councils to achieve this.”

Councillor Berry seconded the motion. Upon being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

Upon being put to the vote 43 members voted in favour, 2 voted against and 3 members abstained form the substantive motion.  (Councillor D Lawrence was absent from the room)

The substantive motion was declared to be carried.

RESOLVED

“This council understands that Section 106 monies provide an important source of revenue for mitigating the impact of development and enabling schemes to proceed. In order to ensure this funding is focused on the right priorities it is important to ensure that local councillors, parish and unitary, are involved in the process at a point when their input can have material influence.

In order for this to happen it is important that the local community have established clear local priorities and associated deliverable schemes to match these priorities, against which planning officers can seek funding contributions.  It is the role of local ward councillors to work with local communities, Town and Parish Councils to achieve this.  It is also important that where 106 contributions have been received that there are suitable, qualifying, deliverable local projects rather than funds returned to developers.  Local ward Councillors have a key role in working with local communities and officers to make sure this is achieved.  This Council urges all local councillors to forward plan and work proactively with their communities and Local Town and Parish councils to achieve this.”