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In 2018 North Somerset Council introduced a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which is paid by developers to help fund the cost of infrastructure such as schools and transport improvements.
Fifteen per cent of the money is passed by North Somerset to the town or parish council where the development takes place, giving them direct control over how the money is spent in their local communities. This increases to 25 per cent if the town or parish has an adopted neighbourhood plan.
Payments are made every six months. In the latest round of payments over £300,000 has been distributed to 13 councils, bringing the total paid out to 28 councils since 2018 to over £1m.
The money received by town and parish councils can be spent on any kind of infrastructure to support development. Examples of the ways in which the money has been used by local communities include:
- play equipment for play areas
- information noticeboards
- creating and improving local green spaces
- local drainage and flood schemes.
The councils to benefit in the latest round of funding are:
- Abbots Leigh - £11,173
- Barrow Gurney - £7,759
- Churchill - £8,464
- Clevedon - £7,315
- Congresbury - £900
- Hutton - £1,168
- Nailsea - £159,402
- Portishead - £36,670
- Tickenham - £28,333
- Weston-super-Mare - £21,641
- Winford - £232
- Winscombe and Sandford - £1,627
- Yatton - £18,125.
"It is very pleasing that town and parish councils have received this money to support their local and new communities,” said Cllr Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s executive member for placemaking and economy.
“It’s excellent news that the funds have now exceeded £1m, an amount that is really making a difference at a local level and allowing decision making within our communities.”
In North Somerset the CIL applies primarily to retail and residential developments and the rates vary according to the size, location and type of development. There are exceptions for affordable housing and properties being built for the owner’s own use (for example house extensions) as well as for charitable projects. There is no charge on employment or community buildings.
Further guidance on the CIL, including annual reports on the total amount of CIL received and how North Somerset Council spends its share, can be found on the council's website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/cil.