Enfield Council is sitting on almost £10 million that could be used to fund “vital” community projects, according to the Conservative group. 

The opposition claims to have obtained details of unspent funding the council received from developers and the Government – some of which has apparently been available for several years. 

According to the Conservatives, £4.46 million of Section 106 money remained unspent from 2018 to April 2020, of which only 58 per cent has been formally committed to specific projects. The money, which comes from agreements with developers, can be used to fund affordable housing. 

There is also £4 million of unspent Community Infrastructure Levy funding, the Tories claim. This money can be spent on schools, play areas, sports grounds and other facilities. 

In addition, there are available balances of £1.49 million in New Homes Bonus earmarked reserves. This is grant funding from the Government designed to boost housebuilding and can be spent on local services and facilities. 

The Conservative group discovered the figures by submitting members’ enquiries – requests for information sent to council officers. 

Shadow cabinet member for finance Cllr James Hockney (Conservative, Bush Hill Park) said: “It is extraordinary that a council that constantly complains that it does not have adequate funding has managed to not spend an incredible £9.95 million pounds of funds – some dating back over four years.  

“This is a failure to fully spend money on community infrastructure, facilities and services. They said they don’t have the money for weekly bin collections yet are able to sit on £9.95 million of community funds. It really is a quite incredible state of affairs.” 

Conservative leader Cllr Joanne Laban added: “This is another example of Enfield Council’s complete inability to manage the funds it does have.” 

Enfield Council has been approached for comment.