Section 106 improvements to benefit the Parish

Development of new housing brings with it a demand for facilities and services that may put strain on the existing ones. Good examples of this are for schools, sports and recreational facilities, waste and recycling, and transport to name just a few.

To make sure developers don’t put the burden of providing these on the local council, as part of the Planning Approval for the development they are required to enter into an agreement with Milton Keynes City Council in whose area the development is taking place. The agreement means they will pay sums of money to the council who will then use it to add to or improve the local services that will be affected. This is a ‘Section 106 Agreement’ which spells out how much will be paid, what it must be used for and, sometimes, where the money should benefit.

The Project Board consists of four residents, two Ward Councillors and two Parish Councillors together with a Project Manager. Their work is to develop ideas, obtain public opinion on the options, determine the choice of work to be done and ensure best value for money is obtained in delivering the final selection. Once done, GLPC will apply for this money.

Milton Keynes City Council is currently holding money paid by the developer of the extension to Redhouse Park, that can be used to improve public facilities such as Marsh Drive Sports Ground. GLPC has set up a Project Board to direct and oversee some much-needed improvements that will be funded from the Section 106 funds. This will bring added benefits to the Parish community, without it impacting on things like council reserves or increasing the precept.

“Members of the public often ask, ‘Why can’t this money be used for something else, such as helping food banks or other good causes,” says Andrew Morphet, Project Manager, “The answer to that is the money is only required to be paid to enable something needed by the new housing development.

“It is not a gift by the developer, it has to be paid to meet a specific need resulting from the development. Another comment often made by the public is, ‘I’m not interested in sport, the environment, play facilities, public art or whatever the money is allocated to’ and they ask why they should get involved,”

Andrew said, “In many ways this is the same issue as some would say ‘I have no children, what

The improvements identified so far include:

General

Improvements to the old pavilion

Outdoor Picnic and games tables/benches

Outdoor fitness equipment

Sports Club storage with landscaping

Ranger workshop/store with landscaping

Landscaping around the car park and the pathway to the pavilion

Tennis

Replace court fencing and boards

Create an on-line booking/access system for the public court

Cricket

Two new sight screens

Electronic scoreboard

Football

Goals that can be left outside and wheeled around has play equipment got to do with me’, or “I don’t like art, why spend money on this when there is something more important to spend money on?’” he continued.

“In any community, there are people with different interests and priorities and it is the duty of council to try to meet the needs of all residents. Just like we may not agree with how the central government spends our taxes; if we are not a driver we may not want them spent on new roads. If we are pensioners with no children, we may not see the value of spending on youth services, but if we have grandchildren, then our view might be different.”

If successful in our bid for the money, we hope to have these improvements in place in 2024.

It is always good to hear the views of residents - especially where they have the opportunity to express preferences for or against a particular matter.

This is of great value to those charged with making decisions on behalf of other residents and whilst it is never possible to please everyone all the time, it does help them in their discussions. Even if you have no direct interest in a particular matter, helping to form a wider view for the community as a whole is important.

On the same theme of Section 106 funds, Redhouse Park and Great Linford residents have recently completed a survey on ideas for the use of some further Section 106 money for play equipment.

The Project Board have considered the responses and prioritised the top 4 preferences:

Benches and tables (some with games boards (76% support)

Adventure trim trail between RHP play area and Great Linford (68% support)

Higher fencing around the RHP MUGA and hard paths to the entrances (66%)

Rope swings and sharing swings (65%)

The improvements mean better leisure facilities for residents, a place where they can sit, play, use fitness equipment, and play football, cricket and tennis.

In this case, the Project Board will be considering the results and formulating a preference list which will then be passed to Milton Keynes City Council for implementation.