Good news that the West Berkshire District Council Executive approved Cllr Ross MacKinnon's amendment to the proposals for future Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) spending to enable more local infrastructure projects to be delivered.
The Council has seen an increase in the funds it receives through CIL. To enable more of these CIL funds to be spent locally on infrastructure schemes in line with the CIL principles, a top slice of £500k is being set aside for community groups, including, but not restricted to, town and parish councils, to use on local schemes.
According to the proposed amendment, a bidding process will be put in place to encourage communities to come forward and set out opportunities for the CIL to be spent on local infrastructure. The funds are on top of the 15% (or 25% if there is a neighbourhood plan) community infrastructure levy that already goes to parish and town Councils.
Councillor Ross Mackinnon, Executive Portfolio Holder for Finance and Economic Development, West Berkshire, commented:
"It is vitally important for us to continue to spend the Community Infrastructure Levy to provide a wide range of infrastructure that supports the specific needs of the communities across the district. By setting aside £500k to be bid for by local communities, we want to encourage more local schemes that support our residents and help keep West Berkshire a great place to live, work and learn.
"We have seen through the response to Covid-19 the superb work from our local communities to support one another. I am really excited to see what new schemes might come forward to deliver welcome infrastructure."
Any community group can bid for the funds (more details on the bidding process soon!) as long as their project meets the definition of “infrastructure” – which Is quite a broad definition, and includes play areas, open spaces, village halls, and more (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/community-infrastructure-levy...)
CIL funds are often spent on large-scale transport and environmental projects. But this scheme will be a way to speedily fund smaller and more locally targeted infrastructure needs.
Any groups who would like more details on the scheme and the bidding process please contact Cllr MacKinnon ross.mackinnon1@westberks.gov.uk and he’ll make sure to keep you up to date.