Decision details

That the Service Director exercises their delegated authority to approve revisions to the Council’s
guidance on education contributions for implementation on all new residential planning applications
from the date of decision.

Council guidance has been revised to incorporate changes in Government guidance, experience gained through previous applications, and to incorporate the latest available building costs and figures on occupancy levels to ensure developers make appropriate education contributions to meet the infrastructure requirements generated by new housing.

The only other option is to not approve to the proposed revisions. However, the Council faces significant pressure on its capital budget to fund future school expansion schemes and new schools. The revisions will ensure (i) the guidance is based on latest national and local policy (ii) consistency and transparency in relation to S106 discussions and (iii) the Council is able to meet its statutory sufficiency duty under the Education Act 1996.