Local communities receive funding boost

Local community projects and groups are to benefit with funds from a community levy which will contribute towards the development of local plans and support the council’s investment in local spaces. The Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Portion (CIL NP) in Bournemouth agreed a sum of £141,841.98 to go to the local community projects, bringing the total funds awarded to £378,542.56 since November 2019.

The Community Infrastructure Levy is a planning charge that the council can use to ensure new developments contribute towards the cost of infrastructure to support growth in the local community. It can be used to fund projects such as play areas, parks, sports clubs, community projects and can also be combined with funding from other sources.

To date, the funding has been allocated to projects which will benefit the environment such as green spaces and new play equipment in Bournemouth play parks, including planned improvements to Slade’s Farm park and Central Gardens play area in Bournemouth.

Voluntary and Community groups have also been supported across Bournemouth, including a community fridge project in Townsend, a community hall, a mental health project in Boscombe and a Heritage Trail.

Councillor Margaret Phipps, Portfolio holder for Strategic Planning said:

"The allocations of these funds are very welcome and will support our communities, providing the opportunity for local groups and organisations to develop their projects. These planned developments will help connect and empower our local communities so that everyone feels safe, engaged and included."

The CIL funding will be supporting the council’s commitment to vibrant communities with outstanding quality of life where everyone plays an active role. There are future plans for a joint community funding scheme with Poole. Christchurch’s Town and Parish councils receive their allocated CIL NP directly.

Notes to Editors:

• The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a levy that local authorities can charge on development in their area. CIL income can be used to contribute towards the funding of infrastructure needed to support new development.

• 15% of total CIL is apportioned to the Neighbourhood Portion fund, allocated to each ward according to how much CIL liable development has taken place. This will be spent on infrastructure within the ward, in consultation with the local community.
• The CIL Neighbourhood Portion must be spent on schemes that will help support the development of the ward area by funding either:

  - The provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure

  - Anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area.