Executive Councillors call for Community Infrastructure Levy allocation changes

Waverley Borough Council Executive has expressed disappointment at the number of applications submitted for the latest round of community infrastructure funding.

Members met on Tuesday 1 April to consider the allocation of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding for key infrastructure projects in the borough for 2024-2025.

Waverley Borough Council has over £11 million of Strategic CIL funding available but only received 15 valid submissions this year. The council has committed to a thorough review of the CIL allocation process to ensure all monies are spent, and that the strategic infrastructure is delivered.

Each CIL bid is assessed on its own merits by the council’s planning team before consideration by the Executive Working Group. In total the Executive allocated £5.4 million to 9 community infrastructure projects. The standout allocations included £2 million towards more secondary school places in Farnham, £1 million for walking and cycling routes and £1.1 million for a new skate park, car park extension and electric vehicle charging points in Cranleigh.

Councillor Mark Merryweather, Waverley Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Finance, Assets and Property said:

“The allocation of Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy funding has been done through the process that was introduced after the local CIL regulations were adopted by the council in 2018. Robust and transparent as that process is, it is also competitive and possibly off-putting to potential bidders, which is why we have barely been able to allocate half of the available funding pot this year. This is clearly not the outcome we want for our residents. 

“The council works closely with the community to support infrastructure bids, like we did with the new GP surgery in Farnham, but there is only so much we can do within the current structure. We must look to reform the system if we are to support the submission of more high-quality bids that deliver meaningful improvements for local people.”

The Strategic CIL Fund is used to finance projects that support development by improving, replacing, or providing new strategic infrastructure such as schools, roads, flood defences, and recreational facilities.

The Executive's decision on the recommended funding allocations will help ensure that the Strategic CIL will support 9 projects that encourage growth, improve infrastructure, and meet the needs of Waverley residents.

ENDS