North Somerset Council has responded to research made by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) that claims the local authority has not spent £24 million of developer contributions.

HBF research claimed that North Somerset Council had unspent Section 106 monies given by developers worth £24,053,661. The North Somerset Times reported on the story earlier in the week.

Responding to this claim, a North Somerset Council spokesperson said: “As part of a statutory duty, we hold money that has come from developers through Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) agreements, but these are definitely not ‘underspends’.”

They added: “The monies received are from developers and committed to fund future investment required as a result of housing developments that either have, or are, taking place. These sums can’t be used to fund other council services such as filling in potholes, park services or adult social care. The council receives new S106 contributions every year – and we also work hard to spend these on delivering new investment within our communities.”

“Over the past 4 years we have spent a total of £18.7m of S106 monies. Every agreement with the developer is unique because they relate to the needs arising from that particular development. For example, it could be that money is put aside to help fund a new primary school in the area.”

The spokesperson ended: “The monies are only given to us because the developer does not want to (or is not able to) satisfy the needs of the community that have arisen because of their building plans. They can and do deliver some of this investment themselves, but often only in respect of affordable housing.”