Introduction & Legislative Background
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge levied on a new development, introduced by the Planning Act 2008. It is intended to help local authorities deliver the infrastructure needed to support development. The power to set a charge came into effect from April 2010, through the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Fund. Wakefield Council passes on 25% of the CIL funding to Town and Parish Councils. Ackworth Parish Council has been given £117,066.
What We Can Fund
The Neighbourhood Fund can be used to support the development of the neighbourhood through spending on :
- the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure; or anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on the area.
Projects must be capital projects and be valued at £5000 or higher.
All projects that are funded must meet at least one of three essential outcomes. New Infrastructure that supports the development of the area will be built; Existing infrastructure which supports the development of the area will be in better condition; The project directly address demands that the development has placed on the area.
All projects must clearly demonstrate evidence of feasibility, deliverability and sustainability through the application and \ or supporting documentation; Commence the same year funding is committed; Identify any long-term revenue implications and propose clear strategies for managing these.
Projects must be able to be defined within one of the following CIL NF categories:
- Roads and other transport facilities
- Flood defences
- Schools and other educational facilities
- Medical facilities
- Sports and recreational facilities
- Parks and open spaces
What We Can't Fund
Revenue expenses (eg rent, insurance costs, utilities, wages, expenses, gas, electrical, legionella safety testing) are ineligible.
Applications for traffic regulation orders or speed limit orders.
Small-scale repairs or minor improvements to existing infrastructure (highways, roads, footpaths, playgrounds, parks etc.)
Minor individual items such as tools, equipment, software or similar.
Projects involving the purchase of individual items which together do not constitute a coherent project regardless of the overall cost.
Projects with timescales of 5 years or over.
Allocation of Projects and Allocation of the Funds
At a consultation in 2021 the Parish Council received suggestions on projects for the money.
Click here to see the results of the consultation.
At its meeting in July 2022 (agenda item 21), the Parish Council agreed to reprioritise these projects and agreed the money will be allocated to the following projects:
- Equipping the new community centre and open space "Ackworth Quarries Community Centre" on the Strata development
- Providing outdoor fitness equipment on Dando Way
- Towards funding of a new community centre in Low Ackworth
At its meeting in March 2023, the Parish Council approved the recommendation from the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting that the CIL funding will be split equally between the above-mentioned projects.
Report on CIL Monies received by year
2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017