Solihull Council received and spent more than £4 million from developers as part of planning agreements, new figures show. The funds, generated through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 agreements, were allocated to various projects across the borough.
Breakdown of Contributions
According to a report to cabinet covering the financial year from April 2024 to March 2025, the council collected £2,778,360 in CIL and received £2,017,394 from Section 106 agreements, totalling £4,795,754. The CIL funding was split into three categories: £2,095,530 for the council's strategic fund (used for large-scale infrastructure), £544,615 for the neighbourhood fund (direct payments to parish councils and ward funds), and £138,215 for administration.
Parish Council Spending
Although there can be a lag in CIL spending, £52,413 was spent by parish councils during the period, including:
- £1,706 on school environment improvements by Meriden Parish Council
- £1,441 as a contribution to a children's playground at Arden Hall Playing Fields by Castle Bromwich Parish Council
- £2,850 on CCTV at Pavilion Hall by Hockley Heath Parish Council
- £37,000 on drainage and resurfacing of the overspill car park at the recreation ground by Bickenhill and Marston Green Parish Council
Section 106 Spending
The report also detailed £2,705,482 of Section 106 money spent on:
- Contributions to affordable housing
- Bus funding contributions
- Improvements to public rights of way around Blythe Valley Park
- Biodiversity projects, including the Arden free tree scheme and native tree and shrub planting in Elmdon Park
- School places at St Peter's Secondary Academy and Heart of England School
- Environmental monitoring
- Playground maintenance and improvements
The report notes that there can be a lag between Section 106 money being collected and spent. The cabinet will consider the report at its next meeting on May 28, which will be streamed live on the council's website.
