It also indicates that: since the introduction of CIL monies in 2012, there has been no CIL funding specifically allocated toward developing new play areas, even though all the Place Plans reference play as a ‘priority’ requirement and that there is an identified need  for new and improved play facilities.

CIL is not payable until the planning consent is implemented and development starts and is payable in instalments which mean that most funding is not received until later. The impact of the recession means that only a small proportion of the anticipated CIL revenue has so far been received and very little has been spent to date, although in Clive, a CIL funded project has formalised local open space provision through the acquisition of Renshaw’s Field.

It is also says that since the introduction of CIL in 2012, there have been no new S106 agreement monies made available for the development of play.

Whilst this is correct (and will be accentuated in future due to the introduction of a national policy change regarding the ‘pooling’ of S106 contributions on 1 April 2015), significant additional open space is proposed as a design requirement in many of the SAMDev site allocations, e.g. St Martins (4Ha), Whitchurch (5Ha) and Shawbury (5Ha), although the S106’s for these applications are yet to be completed.

Your report continues to rightfully point out that: Paragraph 73 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that `Planning policies should be based on robust and up?to?date assessments of the needs for open space, sports and recreation facilities and opportunities for new provision’.

See below

Can members explain to me why Shropshire council do not currently have robust up-to-date assessment of needs for open space, sports and recreation facilities and opportunities for new provision in place, despite repeated requests from my-self to your members and officers at various planning and community meetings for these assessments to be done.

The recent Examination has established that the role of the SAMDev Plan is to implement the strategic requirements identified in the Core Strategy which was adopted in 2011 and was informed by the assessments completed in 2008-9 as described in the report. We recognise this information will need to be updated to inform the forthcoming Plan Review process.

Indeed can members explain the process as to how CIL funds are allocated for the specific purpose of play provision – who decides, based on what?

The allocation of CIL funds to play provision is a function of the annual Place Plan process, described here: http://shropshire.gov.uk/place-plans/annual-review-cycle/  and will be a product of discussion between the relevant Parish Council, Shropshire Council staff and local Shropshire Councillors about the best use for the limited funding available in the context of identified priorities.

Can members explain why on the point of needs assessments I have been repeatedly ignored yet new development planning applications continue to be passed without NPPF paragraph 73 being adhered to.

Planning policy has not previously received correspondence from Mr Kilby on this matter, so this is for the relevant service (POS / Planning DM) to address.

On a more positive note can I report to you that Shropshire Playing Fields Association in recent months have  been pro-actively running workshops free of charge, open to anyone who wishes to attend looking specifically at the `value and benefits of play’ for our local communities.

This is very welcome

Can I also report to your members that the Shropshire Playing Fields Association have started working with local communities to help provide the required robust up-to-date assessments of need necessary in order to protect, provide  and enhance our local communities sport, play and recreation facilities.

This is very welcome and will help to inform the appropriate prioritisation of further investment through the annual ‘Place Plan’ process.