MONEY from developer funds earmarked for communities is being held back from getting to local councils, according to a Wiltshire councillor. Section 106 agreements make developers give cash to communities they build on. Cash must be spent in a fixed period to improve the area. During an environment select committee councillors heard the council returned £52,968 due to changes in the law.

Cllr Ian Mclennan believes cash should go to town councils if developers do not apply for a refund after S106 agreements expire and said: “If developers are not asking for it, but the council won’t release it because it’s time expired, there must be ways around that, if it’s used for the right reasons as contained in S106.” Mike Wilmott, head of development management at Wiltshire Council, said: “I am not aware we are sitting on vast sums of money that should be returned or time expired.” Wiltshire Council will find out if cash that can no longer be used by local councils is being held centrally.