Purpose

Approve the release and allocation of £20,000 Section 106 (S106) funding to support the feasibility study required to confirm the viability and affordability of the proposed refurbishment and reconfiguration to meet current and future community needs Farley Wood Community Centre.

Authorise officers to explore a CIL contribution from Binfield Parish Council towards the refurbishment project, with any agreed funding to be formalised through a Development Agreement.

Approve an internal officer working group to support project development and report to the Project Steering Group

Decision

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member:

·       APPROVES inducting a feasibility study to confirm the scope, estimated costs and deliverability of the proposed refurbishment project to be delivered by the Council’s corporate property team.

·       APPROVES the release and allocation of £20,000 Section 106 (S106) funding to support the completion of the feasibility study, specifically from:

: Land North of Tilehurst Lane, Binfield – Appeal B

YN725

27/09/2023

£94,321.00

towards the community facility improvements at Farley Hall Community Centre to increase capacity

·       ENDORSES approaching Binfield Parish Council to explore the potential for a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contribution towards the refurbishment project, to be formalised, if agreed, through a development agreement.

Reasons for the decision

The feasibility study will establish the project's viability, inform the preferred design option, and provide a robust basis for refining costs and progressing future approvals. It is proposed that an initial £20,000 feasibility allocation is released from Section 106 funding to commission the Council’s in-house property team to undertake RIBA Stages 0–2, including any necessary surveys and investigations.

There has been significant levels of new housing development in Binfield parish, notably at Amens Corner North and South. The refurbishment of the community centre will increase capacity to enable the centre to provide facilities for an increased local population. Residents, including those in the new housing developments, can use the centre to engage and connect with their neighbours and to support health and wellbeing in line with the Council Plan objectives. S106 funding contributions have been collected from developers for the specific purpose of enhancing community facilities at Farley Wood community centre.

Endorsing officers commencing discussions with Binfield Parish Council will enable the Council to explore opportunities for the Parish Council to part-fund the refurbishment project through its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions as a well used community facility serving their local community. Securing a CIL contribution would enable a more wide ranging refurbishment project to be completed for the benefit of local residents and community users.

Alternative options considered

Allocation of s106 is not approved.

If Section 106 funding is not approved, the feasibility study and associated technical and professional assessments cannot be undertaken. This would prevent the development of detailed project proposals and reliable cost estimates, limiting the Council's ability to assess the project's viability and secure stakeholder commitment.

Partnership Delivery Through a Development Agreement

Without a clear understanding of the anticipated project costs and funding requirements, it would not be possible to progress discussions with Binfield Parish Council regarding their potential CIL financial contribution or agree a Development Agreement, significantly delaying the project and its associated community benefits.

Reduced Scope Delivery

Should a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contribution from Binfield Parish Council not be secured, the refurbishment project could still proceed, subject to the successful allocation and approval of available Section 106 funding. A feasibility study would still be required to confirm the scope, costs and deliverability of the project and to ensure that the available funding is directed towards the most effective and sustainable improvements. The project would continue to deliver enhancements to the centre and help address identified community needs; however, the scope of works would need to be reduced to reflect the funding available.