Zayd Al-Jawad, Section 106 Legal Agreements Manager
Minutes:
The chair announced that rather than workshops, this item would be an introduction to the Section 106 programmes, and that the workshops on this would take place at a later meeting.
Zayd Al-Jawad, Section 106 Legal Agreements Manager, explained that the Section 106 regime was changing with Community Infrastructure Levies (CILs) coming in next year and would widen the range of possible funding. At the moment Section 106 agreements, which were contracts between the council and a developer, were aimed at off-setting some of the negative impact of a development by providing funding for education, open space, children’s play areas, health or employment opportunities. Once secured, Section 106 contributions started coming in, when the work commenced. The project bank which contained possible Section 106 projects, was set up in 2008 and renewed in 2010, and would be reviewed in the summer. The council’s website (www.southwark.gov.uk/s106) listed all the projects in the project bank, and the Section 106 agreements in place, as well as the balances of each agreement. In June/September there would be a consultation about the project bank in relation to amending the existing list and potentially adding new projects to it, which would then be used to determine funding for the new CILs.
In response to questions, Zayd said that the existing Section 106 projects would remain on the project bank which are their priorities. However in future, with the CILs part of the consultation would be about priorities, but funds may be ring-fenced, e.g. at ward level. Section 106 projects were to be used for the infrastructure of the area, or for open spaces, but not for housing. Running costs for a respite home, for example, could also not be funded, unless there was a new building being constructed, which provided sheltered accommodation. All monies available via Section 106 were published online. Responding to a question from the floor, Zayd said that in theory, Section 106/CIL monies could be used for public toilets, but it would have to be linked to a new development which would bring more people into the area who would need to use the facilities.
There was a general discussion about the provision of public toilets. The meeting heard that there were numerous shops along the Walworth Road which allowed people to use their toilet facilities, and that there was little in terms of public toilet provision between Elephant and Castle and Kennington tube station which was being expanded, thus increasing the number of people using the area. Councillor Patrick Diamond reminded the meeting that Section 106 monies could be used to improve and protect green and open spaces. He said he would like to see this happen.
ACTION: Officers to produce a list of establishments which allow people to use their toilets, even if they are not customers.
The chair urged people to include projects to benefit their communities in the upcoming consultation, and reminded residents that at a future meeting there would be workshops around this topic. These would be aimed at helping communities put together project proposals.