Where did all the money go?

Written by Lawrie Phipps (Orton Rd)

Have you ever wondered where the (S106) money generated by new housing developments in the village of Warton ends up? Thanks to Karen, one of our residents, and the use of the Freedom of Information Act, a request to North Warwickshire Borough Council provides at least some of the answers, and perhaps raises a few concerns about how much is actually being spent here in Warton, rather than elsewhere.

Here’s the overview

Of five developments that have dramatically changed the character and culture of the village nearly £2 million was generated for allocation by the County, Borough and Parish Councils. Of that £2 million, less than 10% is available to preserve and enhance the recreation spaces, the green spaces, and other local amenities for the people that have been most impacted.

The Basics: What is Section 106 funding?

When new housing is built, councils often secure financial contributions from developers under a Section 106 Agreement. These funds are intended to help the local area cope with the pressures of growth—for instance, more people means more demand for schools, healthcare, leisure facilities, and so on.

In theory, these contributions should directly support the community where the development is taking place. However, what constitutes a community? One part of the Parish, or the whole of the Parish? Or even wider? What recourse do we have to find out how the money is being spent, and who will report to us on the value we have gained from it?

So Where Has the Section 106 Money Gone?

Karen’s Freedom Of Information Request (FOI) established the following about five of the developments:

1. Fox and Dogs Development on (Orton Road)
   • Over £60,000 is set aside for affordable housing in the wider borough. This has not yet been triggered (there are rules about when money is triggered for availability, such as 60% being sold).
2. Red Marl Way
   • Over £120,000 towards Polesworth Leisure Centre improvements.
   • Around £21,000 for the Polesworth and Dordon Group Practice.
   • Over £800,000 for expanding Warton Primary, Polesworth Secondary, and the local library.
3. Woodwinds
   • Nearly £290,000 for Warton Primary and Polesworth Secondary.
   • Over £32,000 for the George Eliot NHS Trust (with some funds still outstanding).
4. Brookmill Meadows
   • Over £380,000 for local school expansions.
   • More than £100,000 for open spaces and recreation in Warton and neighbouring parishes.
   • Over £40,000 for George Eliot NHS Trust (yet been handed over).
   • Some funds for Warwickshire Police also remain to be transferred.
5. The Hills
   • Around £41,000 for improving or enhancing local recreation areas.

Benefiting the Village?

These developments generate a significant pot of money. 

Specifically £1,917,411 

On the positive side, we can all agree that funding the expansion of both the Senior school in Polesworth, and Warton’s own Primary School is important and n contributions to the NHS and other local health services. Large-scale facilities like healthcare, schools and police benefit us all, even if they are located a few miles away.

Broken down those contributions look like this:

Warton Primary School,  Polesworth Secondary School, and Polesworth Library	£1,483,647	Funded by Red Marl, Woodwinds and Brookmill developments
Dordon Surgery	£21,267	Funded by Red Marl development
George Elliot NHS Trust	£73,790	Funded by Woodwinds and Brookmill developments
Warwickshire Police	£8501	Funded by Brookmill development

However,  as villagers we want to see clear, tangible improvements here in Warton, so we know exactly how our environment and services are being enhanced by these new developments.

What about Warton Primary School?

One of the key concerns we should have is how much of the almost £1.5million has actually made its way to Warton Primary School. With multiple references to funds for school expansion I think we should be curious about how much of this has translated into real improvements in Warton – new classrooms? better facilities? additional teaching resources? And by when? According to the information, Warwickshire County Council has submitted a planning application to expand the Primary School, which is an encouraging sign, but what are the specifics and when will it happen?

The rest of the money

When we take out the money for schools, healthcare, and police we are left with £225,729 of which £60,877 will go to North Warwickshire Borough Council (NWBC) for affordable housing and £123,410 will go to NWBC to enhance or replace Polesworth Leisure Centre.

This leaves £41,442 from The Hills development to be spent on existing recreation and amenity space, and £104,477 to be spent on the enhancement/improvement of recreation and amenity space in Warton and Neighbouring Parishes. 

Final Thoughts

No one disputes the importance of supporting hospitals, doctor’s surgeries, and other shared services, particularly as our population grows. However, many of us would like to see a more transparent breakdown of precisely where each penny goes. For example, how much funding is Warton School actually getting and when? 

If development is happening on our doorstep, then what is the fair share of the resulting funds that should remain in Warton to benefit all Warton residents, including improving the environment and services we rely upon day to day.

What are our County, Borough and Parish Councils doing? They seem to blame each other for how this money is spent, but it is not transparent. And while we are grateful for occasional small amounts of funding that allow us to run the carnival, the residents association, and Speed Watch (none of which receive S106 money), it is a pittance compared with, for example, spending £125,000 on Polesworth Leisure Centre!

If you feel strongly about how Section 106 money is allocated please post comments, keep it clean and respectful, and state which street you live in, non-resident’s comments will be deleted. And of course, come to the next Warton Residents Association Meeting.