Lib Dem Councillor urges community groups to apply for Council funding

Cllr Miles Trent

A Liberal Democrat Councillor has appealed for charities and community groups in Lichfield City to submit ideas for deserving local projects to receive monies from a City Council fund.

Cllr Miles Trent, Liberal Democrat representative for Chadsmead Ward on Lichfield City Council, explained that the City Council receives funds each year via the 'Community Infrastructure Levy' (CIL). CIL money is paid to the local authority on most new housing developments which are built in the City, and that money can be spent on any infrastructure projects which support Lichfield's Neighbourhood Plan. Projects funded so far include: City Centre information boards and plaques, Community centre improvements, and improvements to pathway lighting.

Cllr Trent said:

"I sit on the cross-party Neighbourhood Plan committee which allocates CIL money to deserving local projects, and some fantastic ideas have been funded so far. However, significant CIL funds remain available. The Committee meets again in April, and we continue to look for ideas from local groups for deserving community projects, be they great or small! If you have any ideas, then please get in touch."

Cllr Trent, who is also a candidate for Chadsmead Ward in the upcoming Lichfield District Council election on 4 May, added:

"CIL funding can bring important benefits to our community. However, it should be remembered that this money comes from new housing developments in Lichfield. Residents are rightly concerned about the scale and extent of some of the new housing developments, and their impact on local infrastructure. Lichfield Liberal Democrats believe that new developments should only be approved where there are the education and NHS facilities to support the new population. The Lib Dems also believe that there should be more emphasis on affordable housing, and that existing 'brown earth' sites should be used for new housing wherever possible, in preference to building on 'green field' sites on the outskirts of the City."

If you have ideas for new infrastructure projects in Lichfield City which could be funded or part funded by CIL, please contact the City Council at: Contact Us - Lichfield City Council.

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