RESOLVED:

1.    That the allocation of Neighbourhood CIL funding towards two urgent projects to support impacts of Covid-19 upon community facilities namely £49,650 to Carers Support Merton for promoting digital equality for carers and £45,000 to the Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth to cover an additional Debt Advisor or General Advisor dedicated to Merton to address capacity challenges be approved.

2.    That the allocation of £300,000 Neighbourhood CIL funding towards Morden Town Centre improvements be approved.

3.    That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Housing to allocate up to £20,000 Neighbourhood CIL funding to the purchasing of IT equipment including devices and other items to support school pupils across the borough in accessing internet based learning from home required due to Covid, in line with Cabinet’s agreed Neighbourhood Fund criteria.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport presented the report which set out recommendations for allocation of CIL funding to three urgent projects, two of which were to support community organisations with the impact of Covid-19 and the third to fund improvements to Morden Town Centre which would contribute to the regeneration and recovery of the area.  Delegated authority was also sought to allocate up to £20,000 Neighbourhood CIL funding to the purchase of IT equipment including devices and other items to support school pupils across the Borough in accessing internet-based learning from home required due to Covid-19, in line with Cabinet’s agreed Neighbourhood Fund criteria.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance welcomed the report and the local campaign to highlight the lack of access to electronic learning equipment for some children in more deprived parts of the borough.  He welcomed the use of the money for this purpose which supported the Council’s objective to bridge the gap and ensure fair access to education.  He thanked the Cabinet Member and the officers for their work. 

The Chair thanked all for their contributions and welcomed the report.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the allocation of Neighbourhood CIL funding towards two urgent projects to support impacts of Covid-19 upon community facilities namely £49,650 to Carers Support Merton for promoting digital equality for carers and £45,000 to the Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth to cover an additional Debt Advisor or General Advisor dedicated to Merton to address capacity challenges be approved.

2.    That the allocation of £300,000 Neighbourhood CIL funding towards Morden Town Centre improvements be approved.

3.    That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Environment and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Housing to allocate up to £20,000 Neighbourhood CIL funding to the purchasing of IT equipment including devices and other items to support school pupils across the borough in accessing internet based learning from home required due to Covid, in line with Cabinet’s agreed Neighbourhood Fund criteria.