East Sussex County Council Infrastructure Funding Statement 2021
Document summary
Date: December 2021
This document provides details on development contributions, section 106 planning obligations (S106) and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
1. Introduction
This is East Sussex County Council’s second Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS). A new requirement was introduced from the 2019/20 financial year for local authorities to produce an annual IFS which provides details on development contributions, section 106 planning obligations (S106) and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), receipts and expenditure. The aim of an IFS is to improve transparency, increase accountability and promote infrastructure delivery.
This IFS provides information which complies with the reporting requirements set out in The Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) (England) (No.2) Regulations 2019, Schedule 2, Paragraph 3. This requires an authority to publish a S106 report for the previous financial year on the amounts which an authority has received, allocated, and spent.
The matters required to be included in the S106 report are listed below and in brackets where they are located in the report.
(a) the total amount of money to be provided under any planning obligations which were entered into during the reported year (Overall S106 figures see Table 1)
(b) the total amount of money under any planning obligations which was received during the reported year (Overall S106 figures see Table 2)
(c) the total amount of money under any planning obligations which was received before the reported year which has not been allocated by the authority (Overall S106 figures see Table 4)
(d) summary details of any non-monetary contributions to be provided under planning obligations which were entered into during the reported year - None
(e) the total amount of money (received under any planning obligations) which was allocated but not spent during the reported year for funding infrastructure (Overall S106 figures see Table 4)
(f) the total amount of money (received under any planning obligations) which was spent by the authority (including transferring it to another person to spend) (Overall S106 figures see Table 3)
(g) in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was allocated by the authority but not spent during the reported year, summary details of the items of infrastructure on which the money has been allocated, and the amount of money allocated to each item:
- Transport see Table 8, Table 9, and Table 10
- Education see Table 13
- Libraries see Table 15
- Rights of Way see Table 16
- Household Waste Recycling Sites see Table 18
- Environment see Table 19 and Table 20
(h) in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was spent by the authority during the reported year (including transferring it to another person to spend), summary details of:
i) the items of infrastructure on which that money (received under planning obligations) was spent, and the amount spent on each item:
- Transport see Table 6 and Table 7
- Education see Table 12
- Libraries see Table 14
- Household Waste Recycling Sites see Table 17
ii) the amount of money (received under planning obligations) spent on repaying money borrowed, including any interest, with details of the items of infrastructure which that money was used to provide (wholly or in part) - None
iii) the amount of money (received under planning obligations) spent in respect of monitoring (including reporting under regulation 121A) in relation to the delivery of planning obligations - None
(i) the total amount of money (received under any planning obligations) during any year which was retained at the end of the reported year, and where any of the retained money has been allocated for the purposes of longer term maintenance (“commuted sums”), also identify separately the total amount of commuted sums held. (Overall S106 figures see Table 4 and Transport see Table 11)
2. Context
2.1 Development contributions – S106 and CIL
Development contributions are payments made by developers to help fund the provision of infrastructure which supports developments. There are two main mechanisms which are used to collect contributions, S106 and CIL.
S106 involves the use of legal agreements which secure contributions as part of a planning permission. They are used to make a development proposal acceptable in planning terms and are focused on mitigating the impact of that specific development.
CIL is a standard charge on development which can be levied by charging authorities on new development in their area. It is used to help deliver infrastructure which support development across their area. CIL only applies where a charging authority has an approved charging schedule which sets out its CIL rates. In most cases it replaces contributions which were previously collected through S106.
The County Council is not a charging authority. In East Sussex the charging authorities are the districts, boroughs and the South Downs National Park Authority. Currently all authorities other than Hastings Borough Council have an adopted CIL charging schedule in place.
2.2 S106 process
Most S106 contributions are secured through planning applications which are determined by other authorities. The County Council only deals with planning applications in East Sussex, outside of the South Downs National Park, for waste, minerals and our own development (such as schools or roads).
In some areas (Rother, Eastbourne, Hastings) S106 contributions are paid directly to the County Council by the developer. In Wealden and Lewes contributions are mostly paid to the districts and the national park authority who then hold the contribution on our behalf until we request the transfer of the contribution to a specific project.
For new developments being granted planning permission CIL has mostly replaced S106 contributions sought however there are still contributions from historical S106 agreements which are to be collected once the payment point has been reached and spent. Most contributions have 10 years to be spent after receipt.
2.3 Infrastructure planning and overall funding
Infrastructure which is required to support development is identified through the development of Local Plans and when individual developments are considered through the planning process.
Local Plans, which set the levels and location of future development, are produced by districts, boroughs and the South Downs National Park Authority. During the production of Local Plans, the County Council works with planning authorities to identify infrastructure requirements, these are included in Infrastructure Delivery Plans which authorities produce to outline the essential infrastructure required to support Local Plans. These Plans inform the County Council’s capital strategies and our funding prioritises.
The County Council is also consulted when individual developments apply for planning permission and provides advice on the site-specific infrastructure requirements. These generally relate to transport measures as other service area contributions are now covered under CIL payments in most areas of the County.
Development contributions help to fund infrastructure requirements, but the levels of investment required cannot be funded solely from these contributions. Particularly large-scale transport and education projects require additional external funding. The County Council works extensively to secure further funding from a variety of sources to enable projects to be delivered. The current levels of growth proposed across the county will require additional infrastructure which will require substantial levels of funding beyond what can be funded by the County Council, therefore funding from all available sources will be essential. Development contributions can act to facilitate leverage of additional external funding crucial to meet the County’s infrastructure requirements. Development contributions will therefore play an important part in achieving necessary funding, either through S106 contributions but increasingly through CIL allocations.
In this report the amount of contributions and projects within each district and borough reflects the level of development, completions, infrastructure requirements and delivery within that area. There will be some fluctuation in these levels in future statements as this statement reports only on activity in the financial year 2020/21 and provides a snapshot of the situation at 31 March 2021.
2.4 Capital Strategy and Programme
Development contributions are applied wherever possible to capital strategy and programme priorities. The capital programme supports delivery of the County Council’s priority outcomes:
- Driving sustainable economic growth
- Keeping vulnerable people safe
- Helping people help themselves
- Making best use of resources in the short and long term
The Capital Strategy focuses on the delivery of basic need for the County Council to continue to deliver our services as efficiently as possible. Basic Need for the purposes of the Capital Strategy is:
- Place, meaning, ensuring future need
- Asset Condition, meaning, maintaining assets to an agreed level
- ICT Strategy, meaning, ensuring that ICT is fit for purpose for delivering modern council services in a digital era and protecting data
- Climate Change, meaning, tackling climate change has become part of the County Council's core business, investment will be required towards the achievement of carbon neutrality
Development contributions will be used in the first instance to support basic need projects in the capital programme, however it is recognised that there are some contributions that can only be used on projects outside of these purposes. There will also be contributions where it will be appropriate to be spent through revenue budgets, such as for bus services, and also to be delivered by third parties.
2.5 COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of projects which were scheduled to be implemented in the financial year 2020/21. Areas affected by the pandemic included consultations, advertising of statutory orders (such as Traffic Regulation Orders) and construction, leading to fewer projects being completed within this financial year than anticipated. Since March 2021 the situation has improved enabling projects whose timescales had to be extended to be delivered. These will be reported in the next IFS covering financial year 2021/22.
3. Scope and content
3.1 Scope
This IFS is focused on S106 reporting. The County Council is not a CIL charging authority therefore other authorities will be reporting on the amounts of CIL collected across the county and how this has been allocated and spent. This IFS will provide information on the amounts of CIL that have been allocated so far by charging authorities to the County Council.
S106 reporting in line with the CIL regulations and guidance focuses on the S106 contributions which we have received and retain. To provide a comprehensive picture of the amount of contributions available the report also provides an indication of money retained by other authorities on our behalf to be spent on County Council infrastructure.
Further details on amounts retained by other authorities including S106 and CIL can be obtained from their IFSs:
- Eastbourne Borough Council IFS
- Hastings Borough Council IFS
- Lewes District Council IFS
- Rother District Council IFS
- South Downs National Park Authority IFS
- Wealden District Council IFS
This IFS provides data on S106 monies secured to cover the cost of progressing Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs). It does not include information on Travel Plan Audit contributions, monitoring of this area is being improved so that it can be included in next year’s report. The detail of highway works secured through S278 agreements (for example, new accesses, footways, bus stops, crossing facilities, and so on) are also not included but will be considered for inclusion in future reports.
3.2 Content
For the financial year 2020/21 (1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021):
- Contributions for County Council infrastructure in new S106 agreements signed, both applications we and other authorities determine. (See Table 1)
- Contributions which have been received either directly from a developer or transferred from another authority. (See Table 2)
- Contributions spent within the year and what infrastructure they have been spent on.(See Table 3, Table 6, Table 7, Table 12, Table 14 and Table 17)
For all contributions retained at 31 March 2021
- Total amount retained. (See Table 4)
- Amount which is not allocated to a specific project. (See Table 4)
- Amount which is allocated and the infrastructure projects they are allocated to. (See Table 4, Table 8, Table 9, Table 10, Table 11, Table 13, Table 15, Table 16, Table 18 and Table 19, Table 20)
The report is divided into three main sections:
- Overall S106 figures: total money in new agreements, received, spent and retained
- Service area S106 information: details of projects money has been spent on or is allocated to and examples of recent projects completed using contributions
- CIL allocations: amounts charging authorities have so far allocated to the County Council
4. Overall S106 figures
4.1 Amount of money in S106 agreements signed in 2020/21
The totals in Table 1 include contributions for County Council infrastructure in S106 agreements signed relating to planning permissions for developments determined by other authorities.
Some of the contributions in the agreements are based on a formula therefore an estimate of the contribution has been made based on the most current information, this is in line with the CIL Regulations (paragraph 5c).
Though the contributions have been secured in agreements, the payment is conditional on developments being implemented therefore there is no guarantee that contributions will be received.
| District or borough | Transport schemes | Passenger transport | TROs | Libraries | Rights of way | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastbourne | - | - | £5,000 | - | - | £5,000 |
| Hastings | - | £25,000 | - | £14,728 | £1,344 | £41,072 |
| Lewes | - | - | £6,000 | - | - | £6,000 |
| Rother | £130,000 | £188,500 | £5,000 | - | - | £323,500 |
| Wealden | - | £1,201,604 | £36,000 | - | - | £1,237,604 |
| Total (1) | £130,000 | £1,415,104 | £52,000 | £14,728 | £1,344 | £1,613,176 |
4.2 Money received in 2020/21
The total amount of money received by the County Council in 2020/21, including money paid directly from a developer and money transferred from another authority who were holding the contribution on behalf of the County Council is provided in Table 2.
| District or borough | Paid directly from a developer | Transferred from another authority | TROs - Paid directly from a developer | TROs - Transferred from another authority | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastbourne | £27,432 | - | £10,308 | - | £37,740 |
| Hastings | £2,616 | - | - | - | £2,616 |
| Lewes * | £50,000 | £59,661 | £10,000 | £5,419 | £125,080 |
| Rother | £515,453 | - | £5,061 | - | £520,514 |
| Wealden | - | £8,114,793 | £15,000 | - | £8,129,793 |
| Total (2) | £595,501 | £8,174,454 | £40,369 | £5,419 | £8,815,743 |
* Money transferred includes £5,419 from South Downs National Park Authority to be spent in Lewes District.
4.3 Total money spent 2020/21
Table 3 provides the total amount of money spent by the County Council in 2020/21 including transfers to other organisations for them to spend on projects which meet the requirements of the S106 agreement. Table 3 also includes a breakdown by district and borough of where the infrastructure has been spent and also the service area.
Details of the specific projects the funds have been spent on are within the section on individual service areas.
| District or borough | Transport schemes | Passenger transport | Education | Libraries | Waste | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastbourne | - | £3,522 | - | £73,280 | - | £76,802 |
| Hastings | £2,211 | £33,570 | - | £8,020 | - | £43,801 |
| Lewes | - | - | £29,222 | - | - | £29,222 |
| Rother | £2,321 | £13,663 | £88,328 | £2,645 | - | £106,957 |
| Wealden | £148,117 | £78,002 | £4,167,144 | £80,095 | £3,716 | £4,477,074 |
| Total (3) | £152,649 | £128,757 | £4,284,694 | £164,040 | £3,716 | £4,733,856 |
4.4 Total amount of money retained at 31 March 2021
Table 4 shows the total of money retained by the County Council at 31 March 2021, after considering the money received and money spent during 2020/21. It shows the amount of retained money that is allocated to a specific project and the amount that is unallocated.
Table 4 also includes the amount retained for Traffic Regulation Orders (that is, monies secured to cover the cost to the County Council of progressing the TROs) and the amount for long term maintenance (commuted sums) of highway works undertaken by third parties, generally through S278 or S38 agreements. More details on these are included in the transport section.
| Allocations | Main Section 106 contributions | Commuted sums | TROs | Environmental site measures* | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total allocated to a specific project (4) | £11,108,057 | £2,231,834 | £186,380 | £148,770 | £13,675,041 |
| Total unallocated (5) | £410,153 | - | - | - | £410,153 |
| Total retained (6) | £11,518,210 | £2,231,834 | £186,380 | £148,770 | £14,085,194 |
* For applications determined by the County Council.
Details of the specific projects the funds have been allocated to are provided within the individual service area sections.
The contributions which remain available to be allocated towards future projects will need to meet the specified requirements within the S106 agreement relating to each site. Though not allocated yet to a specific project the funds do relate to a particular service area as outlined below.
| Service area | Allocated | Unallocated | Total retained |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport schemes | £2,378,392 | £348,321* | £2,726,713 |
| Passenger transport | £1,310,534 | - | £1,310,534 |
| TROs | £186,380 | - | £186,380 |
| Commuted sums | £2,231,834 | - | £2,231,834 |
| Education | £6,357,377 | - | £6,357,377 |
| Libraries | £350,294 | - | £350,294 |
| Rights of way | £500,078 | £33,386 | £533,464 |
| Household waste recycling sites | £164,224 | £20,631 | £184,855 |
| Environment | £47,158 | £7,815 | £54,973 |
| Environmental site measures** | £148,770 | - | £148,770 |
| Total | £13,675,041 | £410,153 | £14,085,194 |
* Some contributions may be able to be spent on passenger transport projects
** For applications determined by the County Council
4.5 Monies retained by other authorities
Further contributions have been collected from developers and retained by authorities on our behalf. Principally Wealden District Council holds approximately £10 million and Lewes District Council approximately £1 million.
The majority of money retained by WDC is for education provision and transport projects further details on this is provided in the individual service area sections. The majority of money retained by LDC is for transport projects see transport section for more details.
5. Transport
5.1 Introduction
The current East Sussex Local Transport Plan (LTP) Strategy was adopted in May 2011 and looks forward 15 years to 2026. The Strategy is supported by a series of five-year implementation plans which set out the intentions for transport investment for this period of time. The second Implementation Plan covers the period 2016/17 to 2020/21 and sets out the intentions for transport investment for this period of time.
The LTP seeks to invest in infrastructure which delivers sustainable economic growth. This will be achieved by helping to address congestion, improving safety for all road users, and promoting sustainable travel on foot, by bike, and by public transport. How far we are able to deliver the strategy over its life will be influenced by the levels of funding that will be available over the duration of the plan. A review of our Local Transport Plan will commence in 2022.
Our plans for the development and delivery of transport measures are set out each year in our capital programme of local transport improvements and is reflective of the level of funding we have available in that given year. The programme is approved in March each year by the Lead Member for Transport and Environment.
Transport measures are funded through various sources including central government funding, Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) funding, County Council capital and revenue expenditure and development contributions. Development contributions are necessary to supplement and support other major funding streams and bids for external funding particularly where a local contribution is often required.
Development contributions are used to fund measures at a variety of levels from small site-specific projects, such as a bus stop upgrade or a pedestrian crossing, to helping to fund major transport measures, such as road junction improvements and town centre schemes. All measures mitigate the impact on the transport network from the increased travel demand generated by development including the cumulative impacts from all development in an area.
5.2 Local transport schemes – walking, cycling and other local transport improvements
In order to deliver large scale projects, it is often necessary for funding to be combined either from a variety of sources or from various developments. Therefore, it can take some time for the required funding to be achieved. This can delay the development of projects and the spending of individual contributions.
The spending of contributions on transport schemes can be further affected by implementation procedures including the requirement to consult key stakeholders. To ensure schemes are delivered to the correct standards, schemes go through a process of feasibility design, option development and testing, consultation and final design before construction.
Key projects which development contributions have helped to fund in the past few years include major town centre improvements in Hailsham and Uckfield as well as new cycle routes including Horsey cycleway in Eastbourne between Sovereign Harbour and the town centre.
5.3 Passenger transport
Funding for passenger transport improvements is through County Council capital and revenue expenditure, Government and regional funding for specific projects, and development contributions. Capital development contributions are being used to improve bus stop facilities, by ensuring they are designed to comply with accessibility requirements, and to help fund the roll out of real time passenger information across the county. Revenue contributions are also used to subsidise bus services in areas where development requires sustainable transport solutions but before services have become viable.
5.4 Transport measures and initiatives delivered by developers
As part of a development, other infrastructure or initiatives can be provided by the developer. Under S278 agreements, the developer can provide off-site highway infrastructure within the direct vicinity of the site including new junctions or changes to existing to provide access to the site, as well as improvements locally to footways, cycle routes, crossings and bus stops.
In addition, Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) contributions can be secured to enable changes to parking restrictions and speed limits within the vicinity of the site to be advertised and implemented. Also as part of larger developments, travel plans are developed by the developer to encourage greater levels of walking, cycling and public transport by new residents or employees; contributions are secured to monitor and audit the impact of these travel plans and implement any ancillary measures necessary to ensure the travel plan is being effective.
Data on TROs is provided below. Monitoring on Travel Plan Audit contributions is being improved so that it can be included in next year’s report and full information on S278 agreements is also to be considered for inclusion in future reports.
5.5 Projects money has been spent on in 2020/21
Transport Schemes – walking, cycling and other local transport improvements (7)
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hastings | Junction improvements at Hollington Park Road, The Green Crossroads | £2,211 |
| Rother | School crossing patrol at Northiam | £2,321 |
| Wealden | A272 footway improvements | £35,159 |
| Wealden | Friday Street pedestrian crossing | £80,748 |
| Wealden | Hailsham junction improvements | £32,210 |
| Total | Combined projects | £152,649 |
Passenger transport
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Eastbourne | Real Time Passenger Information | £3,522 |
| Hastings | Real Time Passenger Information | £33,570 |
| Rother | Real Time Passenger Information | £13,663 |
| Wealden | Real Time Passenger Information | £17,412 |
| Wealden | Bus services in Polegate and Westham | £60,590 |
| Total | Combined projects | £128,757 |
5.6 Projects money retained at 31 March 2021 are allocated to
Transport Schemes – walking, cycling and other local transport improvements (8)
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Eastbourne | Eastbourne local cycling and walking improvements | £923,812 |
| Hastings | Hastings local cycling and walking improvement | £139,282 |
| Lewes | Chailey local transport improvements | £148,019 |
| Lewes | A259 measures between Brighton and Newhaven | £13,296 |
| Lewes | Lewes cycling network improvements | £16,618 |
| Lewes | Highway safety measures | £2,877 |
| Lewes | Ditchling Common transport measures | £249,402 |
| Rother | Bexhill walking and cycling network improvements | £357,482 |
| Rother | Rye pedestrian and cycle improvements | £233,991 |
| Wealden | Uckfield Phase 4 movement and access improvements | £54,736 |
| Wealden | A272 footway improvements | £21,928 |
| Wealden | Hailsham junction improvements | £12,525 |
| Wealden | Hailsham movement and access improvements | £58,973 |
| Wealden | Crowborough bus stop and pedestrian crossing improvements | £116,326 |
| Wealden | Cycle parking facilities at Polegate | £10,757 |
| Wealden | Wadhurst High Street pedestrian and traffic management scheme | £18,368 |
| Total | Combined projects | £2,378,392 |
Passenger transport
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Eastbourne | Real Time Passenger Information | £8,389 |
| Eastbourne | Bus stop infrastructure | £11,022 |
| Hastings | The Ridge bus stop improvements | £92,692 |
| Hastings | Real Time Passenger Information | £127,443 |
| Hastings | Bus services in Silverhill area | £172,957 |
| Lewes | Real Time Passenger Information | £63,058 |
| Lewes | School transport in Wivelsfield | £16,687 |
| Rother | Real Time Passenger Information | £43,291 |
| Rother | Bus services and infrastructure in Bexhill | £662,411 |
| Wealden | Real Time Passenger Information | £93,472 |
| Wealden | Bus services in Polegate and Westham | £1,260 |
| Wealden | A271 bus stop improvements in Herstmonceux | £17,852 |
| Total | Combined projects | £1,310,534 |
Traffic Regulation Orders
Totals in the Table 10 include two orders for £5,000 from planning permissions the County Council determined, one in Lewes and one in Wealden.
| District or borough | Amount |
|---|---|
| Eastbourne | £35,308 |
| Hastings | £40,000 |
| Lewes | £46,511 |
| Rother | £59,500 |
| Wealden | £5,061 |
| Total | £186,380 |
Commuted sums
Commuted sums are financial contributions made by third parties to Highway Authorities as compensation for taking on the long-term future maintenance responsibility for newly created highways or highway improvements. They can be retained for many years as they are based on the life of the asset which can be 16, 30, 60 or 120 years. The commuted sums are generally secured through S278 and S38 agreements.
| District or borough | Amount |
|---|---|
| Eastbourne | £108,060 |
| Hastings | £206,894 |
| Lewes | £551,537 |
| Rother | £173,187 |
| Wealden | £1,192,156 |
| Total (9) | £2,231,834 |
5.7 Monies retained by other authorities
In addition to the contributions above Wealden and Lewes District Councils hold significant monies on our behalf for transport projects.
Wealden
Approximately £5 million is retained by Wealden District Council. The majority of this in line with the S106 agreements the County Council is intending to be spent on the following projects:
- Hailsham movement and access improvements
- A22 Junction improvements
- Crowborough bus stop and pedestrian crossing improvements
- Polegate High Street pedestrian improvements
- Uckfield Phase 4 movement and access improvements
- Wadhurst High Street pedestrian and traffic management scheme
- Bus services between Hailsham and Eastbourne
- Bus services in Polegate and Westham
Lewes
Approximately £1 million is retained by Lewes District Council. The majority of this in line with the S106 agreements the County Council is intending to be spent on the following projects:
- A259 measures between Brighton and Newhaven
- Newhaven Ring Road junction improvements
- Lewes cycling network improvements
- Walking and cycling improvements in Seaford
- School transport in Wivelsfield and Newick
5.8 Examples of recent spending
Old Harrow Road junction pedestrian crossing, Hastings
Location
Battle Road at Old Harrow Road junction, Hastings
Description
New informal pedestrian crossing across Battle Road at the Old Harrow Road junction.
The B2159 Battle Road is a busy road through Hastings. It connects Hastings and St Leonards seafront with the A2100 to the north of Hastings. In the vicinity of its junction with Old Harrow Road there is a mixture of driveways, on-street parking and bus stops. There are a number of businesses in the area which will attract pedestrians, including a Co-op, a library and a veterinary surgery.
The crossing has provided a safe place to cross this busy road at a location where serious and slight personal injury crashes had been recorded in recent years.
Implementation
The project was substantially completed in March 2020 with minor additions completed June 2020.
Project costs
Total cost: £110,809
S106 contribution: £110,809
Friday Street pedestrian crossing, Eastbourne
Location
Friday Street, Eastbourne
Project description
A new pedestrian crossing on Friday Street at the junction with Oak Tree Lane as part of the wider Friday Street Pedestrian Improvement Study.
The pedestrian crossing provides accessibility improvements for pedestrians and to sustainable transport choices such as buses for the area.
Implementation
The project was completed in June 2020.
Project costs
Total cost: £257,000
S106 contribution: £80,748
Additional funding sources: County Council contribution
New bus and service enhancements, Rother
Location
Rye
Project description
The purchase of a second-hand vehicle for enhanced bus services provided by Rye & District Community Transport which also provides a dial a ride service.
Also, improvements to the weekday bus service along Cadborough Cliff provided by Rye & District Community Transport.
Implementation
The project was completed in December 2019.
Project costs
Total cost: £55,355
S106 contribution: £55,355
Real time passenger information, Hastings
Location
Sedlescombe Road North
Project description
New real time passenger information signs including totems on Sedlescombe Road North adjacent to the filling station and the post office.
Implementation
First sign competed and operational in December 2019, second sign fully operational December 2020.
Project costs
Total cost: £19,038
S106 contribution: £19,038
6. Education
6.1 Introduction
The County Council has a statutory duty to ensure that there are sufficient school places in the right locations to meet demand. The County Council is responsible for promoting a good supply of strong schools through planning, organising and commissioning places in a way that raises attainment, increases diversity, encourages collaboration between schools and promotes community cohesion. The need for school places fluctuates in response to population changes, new housing developments and government policy and can lead to rising as well as declining pupil numbers. Increases in demand can lead to the establishment of new schools or the expansion of existing schools. Decreases in demand can lead to a reduction in places through changes to admission arrangements or the rationalisation of provision.
Each year the County Council publishes a School Organisation Plan, the purpose of which is to share the projected demand for school places in the future and to set out where the County Council thinks it will need to commission additional places or re-organise existing provision. The current School Organisation Plan covers the period 2021 to 2025.
Included within the School Organisation Plan are pupil forecasts for each school planning area in East Sussex. In forecasting demand for school places, the County Council takes account of factors such as births, trend data, parental preference, housing growth and existing and planned capacity as well as patterns of inward and outward migration. The County Council works closely with local planning authorities in East Sussex on the production of their Local Plan documents. This planning process identifies the requirement for additional school places or land for new schools arising from new housing development.
Capital funding for additional school places is through Central Government (Basic Need) grant, County Council borrowing and development contributions. Development contributions are required to supplement the basic need funding received from Central Government and County Council borrowing to fund its capital programme.
Development contributions are used to help fund additional early years provision, mainstream school places and special educational needs provision, in areas where levels of new housing increases demand and additional provision is required.
Development contributions are also used to fund small scale school improvements to support additional pressure from development. In these cases, it is sometimes more appropriate for individual schools to implement projects locally, therefore once a project has been agreed which is in line with the S106 agreement monies are transferred to school to deliver.
There are still some contributions from historical S106 agreements which are yet to be collected however it is expected that in most of the county future development contributions for education provision will be through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Please see the CIL section for more details.
6.2 Projects money has been spent on in 2020/21
See details at (10)
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lewes | Cradle Hill Primary additional places* | £29,222 |
| Rother | Specialist facility project at Robertsbridge Community College | £88,328 |
| Wealden | Buxted Primary School additional places* | £86,366 |
| Wealden | Polegate Primary School expansion of nursery* | £35,186 |
| Wealden | New primary school and nursery at north Hailsham* | £3,793,906 |
| Wealden | Manor Primary School expansion of nursery* | £9,859 |
| Wealden | Uckfield College improvements (project funded and delivered by the Education and Skills Funding Agency) | £241,827 |
| Total | Combined projects | £4,284,694 |
* In order for new education provision to be delivered in a timely manner it is often necessary for the County Council to forward fund projects before all development contributions have been collected. Therefore, in these cases contributions are collected when developments are implemented and used retrospectively to fund education provision.
6.3 Projects money retained at 31 March 2021 are allocated to
See details at (11)
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lewes | Wivelsfield Primary School additional places | £30,447 |
| Rother | Future primary and nursery places at northeast Bexhill | £969,823 |
| Wealden | Hailsham Community College additional secondary and sixth form places | £5,166,363 |
| Wealden | Special Educational Needs provision in Crowborough | £190,744 |
| Total | Combined projects | £6,357,377 |
6.4 Monies retained by other authorities
In addition to the contributions above Wealden District Council retains approximately £5 million on our behalf for education projects. The majority of this in line with the S106 agreements the County Council is intending to be spent on the following projects:
- Early years, primary and secondary provision in Uckfield
- Early years and primary provision in the Herstmonceux area
- Early years and primary provision in the Stone Cross and Hankham area
- Early years and primary provision in Crowborough
6.5 Example of recent spending
New primary school and nursery at north Hailsham, Wealden
Location
Hailsham
Project description
New two form entry primary school (420 places) and nursery for 40 full-time equivalent children aged 2 to 4.
Implementation
The project was completed in 18 October 2019.
Project costs
Total cost: £10.3 million
S106 contribution: £5.6 million
Additional funding sources: Basic Need Grant, County Council contribution
Specialist facility project at Robertsbridge Community College, Rother
Location
Robertsbridge
Project description
Provision of a specialist facility for up to 12 pupils with a primary need of Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) with Associated Educational Needs, and the re-provision of art facilities.
Implementation
The project was completed in August 2021.
Project costs
Total cost: Approximately £2.9 million
S106 contribution: £88,328
Additional funding sources: County Council contribution
7. Libraries
7.1 Introduction
The County Council developed and implemented the Libraries Strategy as part of a wider Libraries Transformation Programme (LTP). The LTP was designed to deliver a modern and sustainable Library and Information Service for East Sussex, based on current and future needs for the county. New library services introduced include an enhanced, modern eLibrary, a new children and young people’s offer to support literacy and numeracy, increased outreach work in our most disadvantaged communities, and new Community Library Membership and Teachers Library Membership.
Refurbishment of library buildings are funded by a 10-year Libraries Maintenance and Refurbishment Programme, which started in 2018/19. Development contributions provide additional funding which allows for enhancements. This funding has been used to help fund the expansion of children’s libraries, create multiple use suites for adult educational services and install public study spaces where customers can use their own devices, with charging points while creating energy efficiency savings where possible.
Development contributions will continue to be used in line with S106 agreements on improving and increasing capacity of library provision. This will be achieved both within library buildings and by enabling people to access services remotely through the eLibrary and outreach programmes.
7.2 Projects money has been spent on in 2020/21
See details at (12)
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Eastbourne | Eastbourne Library improvements* | £73,280 |
| Hastings | Hastings Library improvements* | £8,020 |
| Rother | Northiam Library improvements | £2,645 |
| Wealden | Heathfield Library improvements | £80,095 |
| Total | Combined projects | £164,040 |
* In order to deliver projects in a timely manner it is often necessary for the County Council to forward fund projects before all development contributions have been collected. Therefore, in these cases contributions are collected when developments are implemented and used retrospectively to fund library enhancements.
7.3 Projects that money retained at 31 March 2021 are allocated to
See details at (13)
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rother | Bexhill Library improvements | £212,105 |
| Rother | Rye Library improvements | £13,954 |
| Rother | Rother library services outreach project | £11,609 |
| Wealden | Hailsham Library services project | £112,626 |
| Total | Combined projects | £350,294 |
7.4 Example of recent spending
Eastbourne Library Project, Eastbourne
Location
Eastbourne Library
Project description
Throughout the Library we made changes so that customers can move around more easily, and so that we can provide a better display of books. We also created more space and privacy for customers using the public computers and more places where customers can plug in and use their own devices.
On the first floor we created a new Learning and Information Suite. The Suite provides a space for our adult educational services as well as public study space where customers can use their own devices, with charging points.
On the ground floor we modernised and expanded the children’s area, creating an inviting space that inspires young readers and families. This enhanced area has new furniture and public computers dedicated to the use of young people.
Implementation
The project was be completed in March 2020.
Project costs
Total cost: £310,628
S106 contribution: £142,969
Additional funding sources: County Council contribution
Heathfield Library Project, Wealden
Location
Heathfield Library
Project description
This project saw improvements both to the library layout and improved comfort for customers. Changes were made to the library building to provide more space throughout. For example, a new smaller counter was installed. This not only improved the entrance to the library, but also provided more space for shelving to improve accessibility to the wide range of library stock available.
The library was also decorated and carpeted to improve the customer experience, making the library feel warm and welcoming. New LED lighting was installed to improve the lighting throughout the building, while also reducing the carbon footprint.
The children’s area was also improved with new furniture and locations were also created for customers to sit comfortably and use the WiFi while charging their own device.
Implementation
The project was be completed in June 2020.
Project costs
Total cost: £124,018
S106 contribution: £80,095
Additional funding sources: County Council contribution
8. Rights of Way
8.1 Introduction
Improvements to public rights of way are funded via the County Council’s revenue and capital streams. Development contributions provide additional funding for public rights of way which have increased use generated by new developments in the area. Contributions are generally used to help fund surface improvements. A significant contribution has been secured towards the improvement and management of Ditchling Common.
Development contributions will continue to be used in line with S106 agreements on improving public rights of way in the surrounding areas of the developments where contributions originate.
8.2 Projects money retained at 31 March 2021 are allocated to
For detail see (14)
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lewes | Implementing the Ditchling Common Management Plan | £451,419 |
| Wealden | To maintain part of the Cuckoo Trail | £45,608 |
| Wealden | Surface improvements to Hailsham Public Footpath 18 | £1,863 |
| Wealden | Community Routes initiative in Herstmonceux | £1,188 |
| Total | Combined projects | £500,078 |
8.3 Examples of recent spending
Surface improvements to Crowborough Footpath 66c, Wealden
Location
Crowborough
Project description
Surface improvements consisting of a new sealed surface of tarmac on a stone sub-base.
The footpath had previously often flooded, the improvements enabled the footpath to be used all of the year.
Implementation
The project was completed in September 2018.
Project costs
Total cost: £12,000
S106 contribution: £5,134
Additional funding sources: County Council contribution
Improvements to Bridleway Wivelsfield 18a,b, Lewes
Location
Wivelsfield
Project description
The improvement work involved 230 metres of new stoned surface, 110 metres of which was on a brick rubble sub-base. Two large culverts were constructed to replace aging timber bridges, and additional culverts and ditching work was done in order to improve drainage.
Implementation
The project was completed in August 2018.
Project costs
Total cost: £15,000
S106 contribution: £1,789
Additional funding sources: County Council contribution, Wivelsfield Parish Council
9. Household waste recycling sites
9.1 Introduction
The majority of contributions that have been collected and are retained by the County Council for improvements to household waste recycling sites are from developments within the Hailsham area. These have been allocated to providing additional waste and recycling facilities at Hailsham household waste recycling site which serves Hailsham and the surrounding areas.
9.2 Projects money has been spent on in 2020/21
For details see (15)
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wealden | Hailsham household waste recycling site improvements | £3,716 |
9.3 Projects money retained at 31 March 2021 are allocated to
For details see (16)
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wealden | Hailsham household waste recycling site improvements | £164,224 |
10. Environment
10.1 Introduction
The money in Table 19 is retained for the managing, displaying and interpretation of archaeological findings from various developments sites in Bexhill where the planning applications were determined by Rother District Council.
Amounts which are allocated in Table 20 are related to planning applications the County Council has determined and are contributions which will mitigate the local environmental impacts from the developments.
10.2 Projects money retained at 31 March 2021 are allocated to
For details see (17)
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rother | Managing, displaying and interpretation of site archaeological findings | £47,158 |
| District or borough | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lewes | Air Quality Action Plans | £30,703 |
| Lewes | Local Wildlife Sites enhancements – to be delivered by the Local Nature Partnership | £20,469 |
| Rother | Bexhill to Hastings Link Road Monitoring: Planning, Landscaping, Ecology, Noise and Archaeology | £97,598 |
| Total | Combined projects | £148,770 |
11. Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allocations made to the County Council
11.1 Introduction
CIL charging authorities (districts, boroughs and the South Downs National Park Authority) are responsible for allocating CIL money they collect in their area. Generally, they allocate money through a bidding process. Infrastructure providers, including the County Council, are therefore required to submit bids to charging authorities in order to receive CIL money to fund infrastructure projects.
The County Council’s bid prioritisation process prioritises critical infrastructure required to support development which is also identified within the capital programme. Table 21 shows the County Council projects which have so far been allocated CIL funds by charging authorities.
| Charging authority | Project | Amount allocated |
|---|---|---|
| Lewes | Seahaven Academy Expansion | £2,250,000 |
| Lewes | Newhaven Ring Road | £300,000 |
| Rother | London Road Corridor in Bexhill | £300,000 |
| South Downs National Park Authority | Lewes Town Centre Traffic Management Scheme or A26 Malling Hill, Church Lane Junction Improvements or Regional Cycle Route 90 Improvements | £256,009 |
| Wealden | New roundabout at Ersham Road, South Road and Diplocks Way, Hailsham | £1,500,000 |
| Wealden | Junction improvements on A22 in South Wealden | £2,500,000 |
| Total | Combined projects | £7,106,009 |
In 2020/21 a further bid of £650,000 for the remaining shortfall of funding for the Seahaven Academy was successful and this with the previous year’s allocation of £400,000 was transferred and used to fund the project. The total amount of CIL money now spent on the project is £2,250,000.
11.2 Examples of recent spending
Expansion of Seahaven Academy, Lewes
Location
Seahaven Academy, Newhaven
Project description
Additional secondary school places to support development in Peacehaven, Telscombe and Newhaven. The project expanded Seahaven Academy by one form entry (150 places) for September 2020.
Implementation
The project was completed in September 2020.
Project costs
Total cost: £4,750,000
S106 contribution: £519,342
CIL contribution: £2,250,000
Additional funding sources: Basic Need Grant, County Council’s capital expenditure
Footnotes
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3a - the total amount of money to be provided under any planning obligations which were entered into during the reported year 2020/21
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3b - the total amount of money under any planning obligations which was received during the reported year 2020/21
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3f - the total amount of money (received under any planning obligations) which was spent by the authority (including transferring it to another person to spend)
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3e - the total amount of money (received under any planning obligations) which was allocated but not spent during the reported year for funding infrastructure
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3c - the total amount of money under any planning obligations which was received before the reported year which has not been allocated by the authority
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3i - the total amount of money (received under any planning obligations) during any year which was retained at the end of the reported year and where any of the retained money has been allocated for the purposes of longer term maintenance (“commuted sums”), also identify separately the total amount of commuted sums held
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3h(i) - in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was spent by the authority during the reported year (including transferring it to another person to spend), summary details of the items of infrastructure on which that money (received under planning obligations) was spent, and the amount spent on each item
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3g - in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was allocated by the authority but not spent during the reported year, summary details of the items of infrastructure on which the money has been allocated, and the amount of money allocated to each item
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3 (i) - … also identify separately the total amount of commuted sums held
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3h(i) - in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was spent by the authority during the reported year (including transferring it to another person to spend), summary details of the items of infrastructure on which that money (received under planning obligations) was spent, and the amount spent on each item
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3g - in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was allocated by the authority but not spent during the reported year, summary details of the items of infrastructure on which the money has been allocated, and the amount of money allocated to each item
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3h(i) - in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was spent by the authority during the reported year (including transferring it to another person to spend), summary details of the items of infrastructure on which that money (received under planning obligations) was spent, and the amount spent on each item
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3g - in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was allocated by the authority but not spent during the reported year, summary details of the items of infrastructure on which the money has been allocated, and the amount of money allocated to each item
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3g - in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was allocated by the authority but not spent during the reported year, summary details of the items of infrastructure on which the money has been allocated, and the amount of money allocated to each item
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3h(i) - in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was spent by the authority during the reported year (including transferring it to another person to spend), summary details of the items of infrastructure on which that money (received under planning obligations) was spent, and the amount spent on each item
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3g - in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was allocated by the authority but not spent during the reported year, summary details of the items of infrastructure on which the money has been allocated, and the amount of money allocated to each item
- CIL Regs. Schedule 2, paragraph 3g - in relation to money (received under planning obligations) which was allocated by the authority but not spent during the reported year, summary details of the items of infrastructure on which the money has been allocated, and the amount of money allocated to each item