A HIGHBRIDGE councillor says he is sticking to his guns over what has been called the ‘missing money’ from a 106 agreement.

In an exclusive interview with the Weekly News, Burnham and Highbridge Town Cllr John Parkes said he stood behind his accusations of the money being ‘missing’, in that he does not know where it was spent.

“When you make a Freedom of Information request the answers are in the context of the question you ask,” he said.

“But there’s a bigger context. When you go onto Sedgemoor District Council’s online portal, unless you know the application number it is quite difficult to drill down to find the information about the 106 money.

“In fairness to Sedgemoor, since you (Weekly News) broke the story they have been very helpful and you might think that was because of the article.”

The 106 money was from the construction of Asda and homes surround the supermarket and the council says it is not ‘missing’.

“I stand by my guns, the £30,000 for the Toucan and the Pelican crossings is one thing which I applaud, but the £182,000 for the education contribution is another,” he said.

“I’m due a reply on that on November 2, so we will see if it was spent where and when, in Highbridge schools.”

He said if the money had not been spent on local schools then it was an example of development in Highbridge where the town had not benefitted from the 106 cash.

“I think Sedgemoor District Council has a moral and a legal responsibility to regenerate the town from money from the developers,” he added.

In response to the accusations Sedgemoor said the developer was obliged to pay £611,930.15 in Section 106 obligations relating to the ASDA development in Highbridge. In respect of the Isleport Ponds Contributions specifically, these funds became due within two years of the development starting on site and were paid 2012 they said.

A spokesperson for the council said: “There is no ‘missing money.’ The monies identified in the S106 are as follows: £30,000 to Somerset County Council – Highways Contribution towards the maintenance of the new traffic signals at the toucan crossings on the A38 and B3139; £182,062 to Somerset County Council – Education Contribution; £399,868.15 to Sedgemoor District Council – Isleport Pond Open Space Contribution towards the costs of improving and enhancing Sedgemoor District Council’s public open space at Isleport Ponds.”

They said the spending of such a large amount of money is “not being considered lightly” and they spend time to ensure it was used properly.

However, Cllr Parkes feels the money earmarked for the Isleport Ponds, also known as Walrow Ponds was excessive as at the moment there was a legal issue over access.

Landowners currently control the entrance to the site and charge anglers to enter while members of the public gain access across the rail line. Cllr Parkes said the money should have been spent on the regeneration of the town centre.

What do you think? Does Highbridge need a make-over or will the Isleport Ponds eventually be as popular as Apex Park? Send your views to harry.mottram@nqsw.co.uk.