Agenda item

Report of the Director of Services

The Head of Planning and Regeneration presented the report to Members and introduced Mr I Potter, the Deputy Chief Operator for the West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Mr I Potter gave a presentation to the Committee detailing the work undertaken to secure Section 106 contributions, how they were spent within the District and current proposals in place.

Councillor N Smith raised concerns that such large sums of money were being held and not used when shortfalls in other public sector areas were being reported regularly.  Mr I Potter explained that there were strict guidelines on how Section 106 money could be spent so it could not be put into other general funds.  The Head of Planning and Regeneration added that Section 106 Contributions were used to address specific issues caused by a development, therefore the money could only be used for the specific purpose as agreed by all parties.

Councillor N Smith asked how medical practices that were not owned by the GP would be managed with regard to development through Section 106 contributions.  Mr I Potter stated that on the whole practices were independent businesses and GP’s would make decisions on how to develop and be sustainable.  He added that all matters had to be aligned to develop a practice and this was why it could be a lengthy process.

Councillor T Eynon commented that she was pleased with the development of Long Lane Surgery and was looking forward to the opening.  She was frustrated about the issues in getting the contributions allocated but did understand the limitations in the way the money could be spent.  She highlighted that local people were understandably frustrated too, especially when Ashby Hospital was closed for good clinical reasons even though money is being held and not spent.  She asked if there was anything that could be done to ensure the money was being spent correctly as people were complaining that services originally promised for Long Lane Surgery had not come into fruition.  Mr I Potter stated that it was important to have a good working relationship with the Council and to have regular discussions on how improvements could be made with officers and GPs.  He also commented that there were some really good examples of surgeries that had been developed with Section 106 Contributions only and were very successful, even if it had taken some time.  He concluded that there was not a simple answer but he strongly believed that a positive relationship did help. 

Councillor G Hoult was pleased to see the proposals, especially in Ashby as people were upset when the hospital closed.  She asked if there was a timeline for the Ashby projects.  Mr I Potter stated that initial plans indicated that they would be started in the next 12 to 18 months.

Councillor D Harrison understood that complaints had been received regarding unspent money, as well as problems locating a contact through the CCG to access the money. He was pleased that progress had been made thanks to the work of the Director of Services.  He raised concerns that there could be sums of money held by many local authorities across the country and it was disappointing that a more flexible way of working could not be adopted.  The Head of Planning and Regeneration explained that the authority tried to be as flexible as possible and could agree to release money in stages rather than wait until completion, helping to move projects forward.

Councillor N Clarke raised concerns that £1.1.million was currently unspent and concurred with Councillor D Harrison that it could be the same in authorities across the country.  He felt that the system was broken as the CCG were not spending the money available and when it was being spent he was not convinced that it was being spent correctly.  He gave Long Lane Surgery as an example as it was supposed to bring additional services into Coalville and although it was a good facility, two other surgeries had been closed and amalgamated with Long Lane Surgery.  He felt that all had been achieved was centralisation of services rather than the provision of additional services, therefore the money had not been spent as it was intended.

Councillor J Geary questioned the promise made of more funds for the health service nationally as a result of the EU Referendum.  The Chairman stopped discussion at this point as it was not the correct forum to debate the issue.

The Chairman thanked Mr I Potter for his attendance and contribution to the meeting.

By affirmation of the meeting it was

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted.