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Developers are required to pay a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to North Somerset Council 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.
The rest is retained by North Somerset Council to spend on infrastructure to support housing development.
Payments are made to town and parish councils every six months. In the latest round of payments more than £266,000 has been distributed to 14 councils with Nailsea Town Council the main beneficiary receiving just over £183,000. The other councils to benefit are:
- Abbots Leigh - £770.35
- Backwell - £4,767.79
- Banwell - £2,510.42
- Bleadon - £2,386.86
- Clevedon - £1,258.04
- Flax Bourton - £2,862.17
- Kingston Seymour - £210.84
- Locking - £2,571.15
- Long Ashton - £18,659.16
- Portishead - £3,165.13
- Weston-super-Mare - £36,636.71
- Wraxall and Failand - £2,556.71
- Wrington - £4,685.64.
These latest payments bring the total amount passed to town and parish councils since the introduction of CIL in 2018 to more than £700,000.
"Town and parish councils have the flexibility to use the money to best meet the needs of their local communities and provide new infrastructure for the benefit of their residents,” said Cllr Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s executive member for placemaking and economy.
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.