New £1.3m fund opens for community project bids

A new £1.3million fund to improve local infrastructure and public spaces has been launched by Runnymede Borough Council, and community groups are being invited to apply for grants for projects.

The Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Fund helps address the impacts of new housing and development by supporting essential community improvements. Amounts available to apply for vary across the borough, depending on how much new development has taken place in your community.

Since 2021, Runnymede Borough Council has been collecting CIL contributions from new developments. With the fund now large enough for applications to be meaningful, this fund has opened and, local groups can apply for financial support towards a variety of infrastructure projects.

CIL funding helps communities benefit from the growth around them. It gives residents and community groups the chance to shape the infrastructure that matters most to them, ensuring that development is balanced with the needs of the local area.

The Co-Leaders of Runnymede Borough Council, said:

"This funding is a fantastic opportunity for our communities to directly benefit from the development happening around them. By supporting local projects, we can ensure that our public spaces and infrastructure evolve alongside our growing population. We encourage community groups to consider applying and look forward to seeing how these grants will make a positive impact across Runnymede.

“The neighbourhood fund supports smaller, community-focused projects that can have a meaningful local impact. We know residents care deeply about their area and often have great ideas for making it even better and we want to hear them. Please get in touch before the deadline to talk to us about your ideas”.

Applications will be reviewed and decisions made during the Autumn.

More details, including Neighbourhood CIL Funding Guidance Notes, can be found here: How we spend CIL/S106 contributions – Runnymede Borough Council