Issue - meetings

At its meeting on 18 March 2021 Cabinet will consider a report on a request from Sonning Common Parish Council to release funds from two S106 contributions. The funding would go towards the ground levelling, creating public access and the installation of fence along the western boundary at the Memorial Hall Field, Reade’s Lane, Sonning Common.

The report of the acting deputy chief executive - place which Cabinet will consider on 18 March is attached.

The recommendations of Cabinet will be circulated to all councillors following the Cabinet meeting.

Councillor Rawlins took no part in the discussion or voting on this item (see minute 148).

Carole Lewis, Chair of Sonning Common Parish Council, addressed Council in support of the section 106 request from Sonning Common Parish Council. She stated that the growth of the village had resulted in a lack of village green or sufficient sports and recreation facilities.

She stated that in 2012 Sonning Common’s Parish Council started its Neighbourhood Plan and, as part of this, an agreement was struck with a farm landowner to provide a 4.1 hectare sports and recreation site opposite the local secondary school on the edge of the village, subject to scope to develop a largely enclosed three hectare site for housing. In allocating such housing sites, residents were keen to protect the separate identity of the village but embraced the prospect of a much-needed sports and recreation site with scope for a sports gym and a Community Hall. The funds would address issues on the site associated with sloping ground, drainage and access.

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendation, made at its meeting on 18 March 2021, to create a budget to provide funding towards ground levelling works, creating public access, and the installation of a fence along the western boundary at the Memorial Hall Field, Reade’s Lane, Sonning Common.    

RESOLVED:to create a budget of £267,671 in the approved capital programme for the Memorial Hall Field project (ground levelling and access works and installation of fence along the western boundary) in Sonning Common, to be funded by the section 106 contributions set out in the report of the acting deputy chief executive – place to Cabinet on 18 March 2021.

To consider the report of the acting deputy chief executive – place. 

Councillor Leigh Rawlins declared a personal interest in this item as he was a member of Sonning Common Parish Council, and left the meeting during its consideration. 

Cabinet considered the report of the acting deputy chief executive – place.  This set out a request from Sonning Common Parish Council for section 106 funding towards ground levelling works, creating public access, and the installation of a fence along the western boundary at the Memorial Hall Field, Reade’s Lane, Sonning Common.  The project had the support of the parish council and the neighbourhood plan. 

Cabinet supported the proposal. 

RECOMMENDED:to Council on 25 March 2021 to   

(a)      create a budget of £267,671 in the approved capital programme for the Memorial Hall Field project (ground levelling and access works and installation of fence along the western boundary) in Sonning Common, to be funded by the section 106 contributions set out in the report of the acting deputy chief executive – place to Cabinet on 18 March 2021;

RESOLVED: subject to Council agreeing recommendation (a) above, to:

(b)      approve funding to Sonning Common Parish Council of £267,670.53, towards the Memorial Hall Field project in Sonning Common as detailed in the parish council’s application; 

(c)       authorise the acting deputy chief executive – place, in consultation with the head of legal and democratic to:

(i)        agree a funding agreement with Sonning Common Parish Council regarding the terms of use of the section 106 funding; the instalments in which the funding is paid; the timing of instalments; the conditions subject to which instalments are paid; and to otherwise protect the interests of South Oxfordshire District Council as the provider of the funding; and

(ii)       approve the payment to Sonning Common Parish Council of £267,670.53 towards the Memorial Hall Field project, subject to and in accordance with the funding agreement.