Community funds of over £440,000 now available

Groups in Solihull can now bid for a share of over £440,000 to improve their local neighbourhoods.

This funding comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which is available for community groups in ten wards (Blythe, Dorridge, Elmdon, Knowle, Lyndon, Olton, Shirley East, Shirley South, Silhill and St Alphege).

The money is collected from new developments as part of the normal planning process. It is intended to support community projects in areas where development has taken place.

The CIL money collected in 2023/24 has been added to any unallocated funds from previous years.

The funds are either distributed directly to 13 parish and town councils in the borough or placed into ‘ward pots’ (in areas without a parish council). The CIL fund is now open to ‘bids’ from local communities in the ten wards, which must be submitted by Friday 1 November 2024.

Councillor Wazma Qais, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:

“With over £400,000 available this year, this is a great opportunity for community groups to come up with ideas to benefit their local area and wider community.

“CIL funds can make a real difference to groups and neighbourhoods, and I urge any interested organisations to check if they meet the requirements and then make a bid.”

To be considered, groups and organisations must be formally constituted; have a bank account with two unrelated signatories; at least two unrelated management committee members if they are an unincorporated organisation or a voluntary group and show good financial management procedures, including records of income and expenditure.

For more information visit our website here: Neighbourhood Proportion | solihull.gov.uk. If you are interested, please contact the CIL team via cil@solihull.gov.uk or call on 0121 704 8008.

This table details the amount of funding available for each ward:

Other funding opportunities

If a project you are interested in cannot be funded through the Neighbourhood CIL funds, then there may be other funding opportunities available.  Details on these other potential sources of funding intended to support the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) can be found on the Council’s web pages at Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Funding (solihull.gov.uk).

A range of support is available for all activities, groups and organisations that operate within the borough.  This includes the Council’s Community Development Team (CDT) and the Warwickshire & Solihull Community and Voluntary Action (CAVA).  Details on the support available can be found on the Council’s web site at Supporting our VCS (solihull.gov.uk).