Agenda item

Infrastructure Funding Statement 2023/24

Purpose:

To note the West Oxfordshire Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) for 2023/24.

Recommendation:

That the Executive resolves to:

1. Note the content of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 2023/24 attached at Annex A, with a view to it being published on the Council’s website by 31 December 2024 in accordance with legislative requirements; and

2. Request that Officers prepare an Infrastructure Spending Strategy to help prioritise the timely expenditure of unallocated S106 monies on appropriate projects for the benefit of local communities.

Minutes:

The Executive Member for Planning introduced the report that provided greater clarity on the receipt and use of developer contributions including Section 106 planning obligations to fund new and enhanced infrastructure in support of planned growth. As such, the IFS helps to support several aims and objectives of the Council Plan.

The main purpose of the IFS was to set out in a transparent manner, future infrastructure requirements and expected costs, contributions received during the previous financial year, anticipated funding from developer contributions and the Council’s future spending priorities.

The key figures were as follows:

· £3,183,352.60 in financial contributions as well as 287 affordable homes were secured in Section 106 legal agreements during 2023/24;

· £892,062.70 of Section 106 funds were collected by the District Council in

2023/24;

· £1,510,850.55 of Section 106 funds were either spent by West Oxfordshire District Council or transferred to another party (such as Oxfordshire County

Council or Town/Parish Councils) for expenditure;

· £2,281,472.15 of received Section 106 funds are allocated (i.e. committed to a certain project) but not spent;

· A total of £8,873,356.16 has been received from Section 106 funds before 1st April 2023 but has not yet been allocated (i.e. committed to a certain project) by the

District Council;

· Including £1,171,107.35 in commuted sums for maintenance of open spaces, as of 1st April 2024, the District Council held a total of £13,150,009.86 in S106 monies.

Unallocated funds in the report were not unusual and occurred when developments had not been developed to the degree agreed or where funds had not been fully received; those funds were earmarked for specific projects. The second recommendation was meant to address that in future reports.

The Leader explained that it was hoped for a joined up approach with Oxford County Council, City, Town and Parishes in pursuing developer contribution agreements in a sustainable way. Members agreed with the Leader and there was a point raised on what the £1.7m for the maintenance of open spaces was used for and whether private management companies, who had been established to look after public spaces, could be challenged within the Local Plan. The Chief Executive thought that the £1.7m was the Council fund for the maintenance of open spaces but would ask an Officer to clarify; he agreed that solutions needed to be found on the issues of private management companies and that all open spaces should be managed in an appropriate manner as reflection on the needs of residents.

Councillor Hugo Ashton proposed that the Executive agree the recommendations as listed on the report. This was seconded by the Leader, Councillor Andy Graham, was put to a vote, and was unanimously agreed by the Executive.

The Executive Resolved to:

2. Request that Officers prepare an Infrastructure Spending Strategy to help prioritise the timely expenditure of unallocated S106 monies on appropriate projects for the benefit of local communities.

Supporting documents:

Agenda item

Infrastructure Funding Statement 2023/24

Related Pages