Community Infrastructure Fund Programme - South Norfolk
Funding is now available through the Community Infrastructure Fund Programme to support parish and town councils in South Norfolk deliver key infrastructure projects.
The programme consists of two opportunities to support capital delivery of infrastructure projects. The Community Infrastructure Fund has £300,000 available between April 2023 and March 2024, for projects valued at over £15,000. The Co-Investment Grant Scheme has £1,500,000 available between April 2023 and March 2024, for exemplar projects valued over £250,000.
Funds are made available through three different application processes:
- The Community Infrastructure Fund for projects valued at over £15,000 but less than £49,999
- The Community Infrastructure Fund (Large Projects) - for projects valued at over £50,000
- The Co-Investment Grant Scheme – for projects valued over £250,000.
The Community Infrastructure Fund
The Community Infrastructure Fund can be used to help parish and town councils forward fund infrastructure prior to receiving Community Infrastructure Levy payments.
In return, the applicants Community Infrastructure Levy receipts will be retained by South Norfolk Council to repay the sum drawn down against the Fund.
This scheme:
- will only lend based on CIL receipts due to be transferred to Parish/Town Councils (either 15% or 25% depending on whether a Neighbourhood Plan is in place)
- is not to be used alongside the Community Action Fund
Eligibility:
- applicants must be due to receive CIL receipts from developments and phases which have or about to commence on site – this is required to replenish the Community Infrastructure Fund
- this fund is not to be used alongside the Community Action Fund
- projects must be able to demonstrate deliverability and an implementable operational plan
- funding will not be awarded for project scoping or feasibility work
- applicants must demonstrate response to a need in their Parish/Town and adjacent areas
- Repayment of the loan in full, including interest must be within a 10-year period.
- Interest will be applied daily from the start of the loan agreement at the prevailing Bank of England base rate.
- formal application form required for different levels of funding required, based on project value
- less than £49,999
- more than £50,000
The Co-Investment Grant Scheme
This is a new fund in South Norfolk, designed to support significant community infrastructure projects with match funding, to secure and aid the delivery of infrastructure which is of benefit to a wider community.
These are projects that demonstrate ‘excellence’ and deliver strategic value to the Town or Parish, whilst also contributing to the wider district.
These projects will compliment the District Councils Strategic ambitions:
- promote our areas as a place that businesses want to invest in and grow, attracting investment for our areas
- build a productive, high performing and dynamic economy for the future
- create an inclusive economy which promotes skills and job opportunities for all
- ensure that the most vulnerable feel safe and well
- empower people to succeed and achieve their aspirations
- create and support communities which are connected and are able to thrive
- take proactive steps to preserve the natural and built environment
- ensure we have the right homes for everyone
- build a place that everyone can be proud of
Eligibility:
- projects must be ‘significant’ – with a minimum project value of £250,000.
- the Co-Investment Grant Fund will be complementary to other funding streams, including the Community Infrastructure Fund.
- projects must be able to demonstrate deliverability and an implementable operational plan.
- funding will not be awarded for project scoping or feasibility work.
- applicants must demonstrate response to a need in their Parish/Town and adjacent areas.
- the applicant will be responsible for preparing a business case which will be submitted to the District Council alongside a formal application form.
- the decision to match fund will be made by Cabinet, subject to review of the business case and application form, on each occasion.
- the level of match funding is discretionary, but as a guide South Norfolk Council will typically provide 50% of the total project value where the project total is more than £500,000
- projects where the total project value is more than £250,000 but less than £500,000 South Norfolk Council will provide up to up to 25% of the total project value.
Please contact the Growth Delivery team if you’d like to discuss further and request an application form:
Growth Delivery Team
Please contact the Growth Delivery team if you’d like to discuss further and request an application form.