In the same way, grant applications are also encouraged from community groups, both for taking forward high quality, small-scale public art projects and for upgrading the facilities and equipment at their halls and meeting rooms in the city.
This Section 106 funding has been secured from developers in recent years to address the impact of new housing and other development in the city. Much of the generic S106 funding secured has already been spent on local projects, but some is still available relating to development in certain parts of Cambridge.
Informal open spaces S106 funding to improve council-owned parks and green open spaces still exists in Abbey, Coleridge, East and West Chesterton, Market, Petersfield, Queen Edith’s, Romsey and Trumpington wards. There is also play provision S106 funding available in Trumpington ward for adding some extra items of play equipment to an existing play area.
Cllr Alex Collis, Executive Councillor for Open Spaces, Sustainable Food and Community Wellbeing, said: “Our local parks and green spaces are highly valued, as places where we can relax, have a sense of well-being and enjoy the beauty of nature. This S106 funding round gives residents the chance to put forward ideas for extra tree-planting or wildlife habitats or better paths or new park benches.”
Meanwhile, S106 grant funding for improvements to community facilities is available in Coleridge, Trumpington, Abbey, Arbury, King’s Hedges, Market, Queen Edith’s, Romsey and West Chesterton wards. Grant awards will be subject to a community-use agreement between the council and the organisation receiving the grant, to ensure that the wider community benefits from the improvements.
Cllr Anna Smith, Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “The Covid-19 restrictions of the last 16 months have been such a clear demonstration of us just how much communities matter. I am really pleased that the council can offer local groups the opportunity to apply for grants to improve their own meeting facilities in a way that can make a real difference to the communities around them. I’m especially pleased that this includes the chance to put forward small-scale bids for improving equipment, furnishings and storage space, which can make a big difference to local people, relatively quickly and easily.
“The prospect of another grant application round for small-scale public art grants is also really exciting. Previous public art grant rounds have proved very popular and have produced some great, eye-catching local projects. We are looking for community groups to work in partnership with a professional artist of their choice in order to develop original, high quality public art.”
The 2021 S106 funding round is open to applications until 9.00am on Tuesday 31 August 2021. More details, including application forms and guidance notes, can be found at S106 funding rounds - Cambridge City Council.
The ‘generic’ S106 developer contributions available via this 2021 funding round were agreed by developers before April 2015 and have been paid by them to address growing demands on local facilities and amenities arising from new housing and other development in Cambridge. The council is looking for project proposals in (or near) those wards where the S106 funding is available. This S106 funding cannot be used for projects outside the city boundaries, nor for repairs, maintenance, like-for-like replacements or running costs. Proposed projects that are not primarily aimed at mitigating the impact of development will not be eligible for S106 funding.