What is Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL)?
A levy, called Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), is charged to certain new developments in the borough. In Lewisham 25% of the total raised is set aside as NCIL to be spent in conversation with local communities on Lewisham’s priorities. The rest is spent on infrastructure such as for schools, hospitals, roads, open space, and leisure facilities.
The Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) gives local authorities a fantastic opportunity to work with local communities to use funding from development on infrastructure projects in their local area.
What’s new for NCIL Round 2?
In the last round of NCIL, residents and organisations applied for projects that were then delivered by Council teams – a number of these, when properly costed and assessed for delivery, either exceeded the funding requested or were undeliverable in the NCIL timeframe because of a number of technical challenges.
In Round 2, we’ve made it easier for residents and groups to show their support for capital projects. A selection of Council delivered infrastructure projects have been proposed with input from ward councillors and officers who work closely with communities and understand which projects have community support. We have also taken into account previous suggestions for capital projects that were not funded in Round 1.
Proposed projects have been assessed and shortlisted based on:
- How well they match the NCIL fund criteria
- Whether they meet Lewisham’s Corporate priorities
- Affordability
- Deliverability
These projects have been uploaded to the council’s consultation platform where residents and community groups are invited to view and like projects.
Community groups and organisations wishing to deliver an NCIL-funded project that is not already listed on the consultation platform, can fill in the online application form to apply for Ward or Borough-wide NCIL. We will fund a mix of projects from those already highlighted and those put forward through applications - this will depend on the quality and reach of the projects.
What is meant by ‘capital’ and ‘revenue’ projects?
Capital projects are those where the funding will cover a physical structure or piece of equipment and its installation. For example, playground equipment, community centre refurbishment, plants, planters, sports equipment or appliances.
Revenue projects are any projects which require day to day funding. For example events, activities, services or clubs
How much funding is available?
In Lewisham there are two NCIL funds available:
- The Borough-wide NCIL fund awards funding to projects that will benefit three or more wards in the borough or the whole of Lewisham. The Borough-wide NCIL fund has a total of £621,732.92.
- The Ward NCIL fund awards funding to projects which benefit each of the 19 individual wards in Lewisham. The amount available in each Ward NCIL fund varies. The amount is calculated based on:
- Developments that have taken place within the ward
- Indices of Multiple Deprivation
See the table below for the total amount of funding available for each ward, bearing in mind this is everything that is available for any council delivered and community delivered projects that are selected.
How can I show my support for Council delivered capital projects?
If there is a capital project in Lewisham that you would like to
see happen, please first check if it has already been put forward on our consultation hub
Residents, businesses and community groups are invited to show their support for Council delivered capital projects via the council’s online consultation platform. On this page you will find summaries for each project and information to help you decide which projects to like. You will be able to select from one or more of the 19 ward and borough-wide surveys and choose up to 3 of the shortlisted projects to support by selecting them from the drop-down menus available on each survey.
My project proposal is not listed on the council’s consultation platform and I am with a community group that would like to deliver a project. How can I apply for NCIL funding?
If you are with an organisation or community group that would like to deliver a project that meets the NCIL criteria, then you can apply online for the Borough-wide or Ward fund. Please make sure you have read the complete guidance so that you understand how much funding is available in the pot you are applying to and how this funding will be allocated. Keep reading for more information on the types of projects you can apply for, who can apply and the fund criteria and priorities.
Capital projects
Capital projects are those where the funding will cover a physical structure or piece of equipment and its installation. This could include playground equipment, community centre refurbishment, plants or planters, sports equipment or appliances. If the project you would like to see happen has not been proposed as a Council delivered project on our consultation platform, then you can apply for a community delivered capital project.
Community Delivered Capital Projects
If the capital project you would like to see happen isn’t already listed on our consultation platform and if you are a community group or organisation wishing to deliver a capital project, then you can submit an application for a Ward NCIL Community delivered Capital Project or a Borough-wide capital project. Please be aware that it will be the responsibility of the applicant to deliver the project. Note that Street Trees, Christmas trees and large playground or highways projects will only be included as Council delivered projects and cannot be applied for separately.
The funding for community delivered capital projects will come out of the Ward NCIL fund where the project is located unless it benefits 3 or more wards, in which case applications should be made to the Borough-wide fund.
Revenue projects
Revenue projects are any projects which require day to day funding. These could be things like events, activities, services, clubs – anything that is not solely equipment or creating or maintaining a physical building or other structure. There are two ways to apply for funding for revenue projects. Depending on the reach of your project you can either apply to Borough-wide NCIL or Ward NCIL.
- Borough-wide NCIL revenue projects must benefit at least 3 wards.
- Ward NCIL revenue projects must primarily benefit the ward which you are applying to.