Purpose

• The sum of £50,669.37 was received from Persimmon Homes on 08/12/2013 as part of a Section 106 (developer contribution) agreement relating to a residential development off Durranhill Road, Carlisle, for the maintenance of off-site open space and play areas in the surrounding area. A total of £43,050.00 remains available following some limited expenditure in the ten years since the funds were received.
• A separate Section 106 agreement, formalised on 24/03/2024, included a payment of £15,000 from Top Notch Contractors, relating to a residential development off Holywell Crescent, Carlisle, for the improvement of playgrounds in the area. A total of £2300.00 remains available for use following completion of a project at Melbourne Park Play Area.
• An online and paper based public consultation was held between 09/03/2022 and 31/03/2022 to determine the views of residents as to their preferred types of play equipment and surfacing for the site. The consultation was advertised via press release, social media posts, email to local primary schools and on-site posters, with paper copies available in Botcherby Community Centre. 27 responses were received, of which 16 were online.
• The Healthy City Team used the data collected from the consultation to draw together a specification for new play equipment and surfacing which best met the needs of the community. This was tendered via an existing framework agreement during April 2023.
• Three tenders were received for the project, with the highest scoring being Kompan Scotland Ltd, for a total cost of £44,989.00.
• An additional cost of £300.00 will be incurred for the disposal of existing play equipment following removal by Cumberland Council staff.
• Therefore, the sum of £43,000.00 from S106 agreement reference 11043 and £2300.00 from S106 agreement reference 11073 requires releasing to the capital programme for the 2023/24 financial year to allow purchase orders to be placed with suppliers, with works to commence in late summer 2023.

Reasons for the decision

To proactively utilise S106 developer contributions to re-equip and significantly improve an existing, well used, play area, which is reaching the ed of its serviceable life.

Alternative options considered

No action – the existing play equipment on the site would be monitored for deterioration and revenue budgets would be utilised for ongoing repairs and maintenance, the Section 106 funds would be returned to the relevant developers.