Leicestershire County Council‘s leader has hit back against ‘absurd’ claims made by Melton Borough Council’s leader over contributions from housing developers.
On Wednesday (8th October), council leader Pip Allnatt said that the NHS’s decision to pause a new GP surgery in the district was because “arrangements agreed between my predecessors and the County Council meant that there is almost no section 106 money for health because nearly all of it goes to the County Council for new roads and schools”.
Prioritising where section 106 funds go – money that developers pay for infrastructure to support new homes - sits solely with Melton Borough Council and according to their current local plan, there is no ‘agreement’ to take funds away from other requested contributions.
“These comments are outrageous. This is his job, not ours – it’s that simple. If something is our fault, we’ll hold our hands up but if not, we’ll robustly defend our position.
“These absurd claims smack of a complete lack of understanding, at best. I’m astonished that Mr Allnatt has either ignored, or doesn’t seem to understand, his own council’s policies.
“This sits fairly and squarely with the borough, not us. Their current adopted plan prioritises education and transport contributions over other requests, including health. This was their decision alone.”
Person:County council leader, Dan Harrison