Issue - meetings

To consider the request for s106 funding for footway improvements.

RESOLVED to:

i.              Approve the release of £11,977.20 to Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council from S106 funds to secure the improvement works to the Foresthall Park right of way.

ii.             Reject the request from Essex Wildlife Trust. The Council should assist the Trust in identifying other possible sources of funding.

The Chairman thanked Mr Salvidge and brought Item 10 forward in proceedings for his benefit.

The Council had received two requests for the use of S106 funding for footway improvements in the parish of Stansted Mountfitchet. In both cases, the money would be drawn from an existing community facilities pot associated with Foresthall Park, of which £41,000 remained unallocated.

Essex Wildlife Trust had requested funding to provide an all year round accessible lakeside path at the Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve, located north of Stansted Mountfitchet. Following consultation with local members, the report recommended Cabinet not to approve the release of S106 monies, but to assist the Trust in identifying alternative sources of funding.

The second request had come from Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council who wished to resurface the public right of way located along the western boundary of Foresthall Park. Following consultation with local members, the report recommended Cabinet to approve the release of funding to secure the improvement works to the Foresthall Park right of way footpath.

Councillor Dean said the Foresthall Park footway was unusable by families at certain times of the year. He supported the recommendation to release funding outlined in the report.

The Chairman said both requests were worthy projects but Cabinet had to listen to locally elected members; if Cabinet were to approve the request from the Essex Wildlife Trust, it would be going against the advice of the parish council. He advised the Trust to enter into a dialogue with the parish council to convince them of the merits of the project.

Councillor Barker asked the Trust to contact her and she would assist in investigating alternative sources of funding to allow the scheme to go ahead.

RESOLVED to:

i.              Approve the release of £11,977.20 to Stansted Mountfitchet Parish Council from S106 funds to secure the improvement works to the Foresthall Park right of way.

ii.             Reject the request from Essex Wildlife Trust. The Council to assist the Trust in identifying other possible sources of funding.