Parish and district council bosses are locked into a war of words over accusations that money was misplaced for a huge new community centre in Elsenham.

According to Elsenham Parish Council, Uttlesford Council is not able to identify where the interest it gained on the funding for the new community centre in Elsenham is after it "put the money into a general pot".

However the district council said it is keeping hold of the money, as it always does with planning agreements like this, and that "the sums are all accounted for".

The parish council is currently drawing up the plans for the new £1.5 million-to-£2 million centre, which is due to include a new hall, community café, changing rooms and office for the parish clerk. They are also seeking an architect, with applications closing in July. 

The project will redevelop a site owned by Elsenham Parish Council next to a playing field car park on Southfield Close near Stansted Road, Elsenham. The project is to be funded by contributions from a series of building developments together with other grant funding and potential borrowing from the debt management office.

The parish council claims the interest on the funding, from the developers, is not being located and or handed over by the district council.

The minutes from the parish council meeting, in September, state: "Uttlesford council stated in its reply to Elsenham Parish Council’s freedom of information request, they did not know how much interest had accrued on the section 106 money they were holding for the building of the community centre, Uttlesford council had put the money into a general pot and it could no longer be identified.

"The parish council sent a letter to Richard Buxton Solicitors setting out the issues the parish council have undergone with Uttlesford council regarding the section 106 payments and the  freedom of information request.

"Susy Gandy had answered on behalf of Richard Buxton Solicitors saying that she thought the parish council has a case for claiming the interest that has occurred on the section 106 money since being paid to Uttlesford Council.

"Graham Mott proposed that Richard Buxton Solicitors send a letter to Uttlesford Council setting out their case at a cost of up to £520."

“Bob Burlton seconded; the vote was carried unanimously. It was agreed to address the letter to the chief executive, Peter Holt. 

"Graham Mott asked Susy Gandy if Uttlesford Council is entitled to hold onto the funds, releasing specific amounts on request.

"Susy Gandy’s answer was yes, they can, unless it contravenes any separate agreement the parish council have with them.

“Uttlesford council needs an agreed plan in place to enable both parties to identify when and how much the staged payments should be.

"The interest on the section 106 payments by April 2025 would amount to approximately £78,000. There are many variances which could change the final figure.

"If Uttlesford council could not find where the funds had been placed or how much interest had accrued, they could be accused of mismanagement of funds."

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A spokesman for Uttlesford District Council said: "Uttlesford District Council has received a series of planning obligation payments from developers for the construction of a new community facility in Elsenham.

"It is holding the money in a general account, as it does with all such monies received as part of planning obligations. The sums are all accounted for.

"Uttlesford has a legal obligation to ensure the money is spent on a community facility and will do so. Officers have written to Elsenham Parish Council on this matter."