Building for the Community

The money comes from developers' agreements - also known as Section 106 Agreements. These agreements are made when a large development gets the go-ahead in the district. The council negotiate with the developers, who agree to give a proportion of their projected profits for the council to spend on local community developments.

Below is a flavour of the fantastic community projects which all received Section 106 funding

Thanks to £26,000 funding from Section 106 Agreements and £10,000 from Lichfield District Safer Community Partnership, the security at Burntwood Park is set to be improved this summer.

Lichfield District Council, in partnership with Lichfield District Safer Community Partnership, kicked off the project because local people reported acts of vandalism and instances of anti-social behaviour in the park. After consulting with local people and agencies, the money will be spent on putting gates up so the park can be locked after hours, putting up boundary fencing and resurfacing and installing a ramp.

Councillor Ben Adams , Cabinet Member for Community, Housing and Health at Lichfield District Council, said: "We hope when the works are completed, they will dramatically cut instances of anti social behaviour in the park. This will come as a welcome relief to nearby residents who should not have to put up with people who think it is ok to cause a nuisance. This type of project is a great example of how we can use Section 106 funding to improve the lives of the community."

The Scouts have also been the lucky recipients of Section 106 money. They approached the council to help fund their brand new 6th Lichfield Scout Headquarters. Lichfield District Council gave the Scouts £100,000 to help get the £225,000 building project off the ground. Work is nearly finished on the brand new headquarters, which is an environmentally friendly building off Christchurch Lane in Lichfield .

John Brookes, Cub Scout Leader, said: "We desperately needed a new HQ because our old one started to get really shabby and dilapidated. I'd like to thank Lichfield District Council for giving us the £100,000 because it kick started our fundraising programme, and helped us to secure the remaining £125,000. We're looking forward to moving into our new headquarters, which will help our Scout group to thrive."

The Garrick Square also received a £168,000 makeover treatment thanks to funding from Lichfield District Council, Staffordshire County Council and Section 106 money. The square, which has been repaved, had new seating, lighting and litter bins installed, is proving a popular meeting place and a fitting entrance to the Lichfield Garrick and Three Spires shopping centre.

Lichfield District Council was also able to improve lots of open spaces in Chase Terrace thanks to £102,000 Section 106 money. Works at Larks Rise, Ironstone Road , Kingsdown Road and Balmoral Way open spaces, included: constructing new pathways, removing scrub, planting shrubs, heather seeding, installing dog waste bins and interpretation boards. The Forest of Mercia also gave the project £10,000 so that trees could also be planted at the sites.

Councillor Neil Roberts, Cabinet Member for Development Services, said: "We have a duty to protect our heathland which is a habitat that is fast disappearing from Britain 's landscape. These works were really important and based on what the local community said they wanted for the area."

Other projects that received Section 106 money included: Fradley Junction that received £16,000 to improve pathways, signage, and more, Elms Community Hall in Elmhurst village received £20,000 to refurbish the old school house, St Stephens Church in Fradley received £50,000 which helped with the £150,000 renovation works to improve the heating and lighting and extend the church, and Staffordshire County Council received £28,000 to make the pedestrian zone at the entrance to Sandford Street more obvious.