Reports from Working Party Meetings

DRAFT Report from a meeting of the s106 Evaluation Working Party on Tuesday 21 April 2026 at 1.30pm at Ruskington Parish Office.

Present:

Cllr Ditch

Cllr Cox

Cllr Cunningham

Cllr Conway

Cllr Harrison

Cllr Sheldon

Facilitated by Administrative Assistant, Mr Scott Johnstone

Following a public consultation of Ruskington Parishioners, suggestions were received regarding the expenditure of up to £200,000 of s106 funding for the enhancement of Village Sporting and Recreational facilities. To consider the various possibilities, a Working Party (WP) of Ruskington Parish Councillors (identified above) met to review the results. 

Cllr Cox was appointed the lead for the meeting.

231 responses had been received in both electronic and 'hard copy' formats.

Criteria for consideration stipulated that projects should:

• Be mainly for the benefit Ruskington Residents
• Where possible, promote health and lifestyle improvements
• Be of benefit/ interest to a wide variety of age groups
• Be accessible for all abilities including differently abled users
• Consider environmental impacts

Numerous qualifying suggestions were received which the WP scored in accordance with the published criteria; the following projects were shortlisted for inclusion:

• The development of the Parkfield Sports Pavillion (incorporating a Community Cafe with both indoor and outdoor seating areas) as a multi-activity hub encompassing clubs, societies, indoor sports, a youth centre etc
• The development of an outdoor 'Trim-Trail' starting and finishing at the front of the pavilion, suitable for a variety of users including 'wheeled' modes of conveyance (cycles, mobility transport, pushchairs etc), possibly incorporating fitness apparatus, solar lighting, information boards, and children's nature-trail 'spotting' activities
• The development of a small skate/cycle park adjacent to the Pavilion
• The development of a 'half-court' basketball facility adjacent to the Parkfield play area facility.

As not all could be funded with this round of s106 cash, the WP decided:

• To concentrate on number 1 (the development of the pavilion) as it would act as the catalyst for many other developments
• To seek further funding (see notes below) as and when they became available, to complete projects 2,3 and 4. 

Notes:

• It is anticipated that future village housing developments will yield additional s106 funds to facilitate future projects
• A thriving multi-activity pavilion/cafe could generate income and possible commercial sponsorship enabling the completion of future projects. Funding is often available from other local sources that could be applied for.