Brixton is among areas set to benefit from a £4m Lambeth council fund to support local groups, projects and good causes.
Financed by levies on building developments in the borough, the Community Connections Fund will run for three years. The first distribution of £1m-worth of funds is due to start in spring.
Council leader Claire Holland said: “Lambeth continues to be an attractive destination for investment and new development.
“By using the financial contributions from developers, Lambeth council can support projects that offer tangible benefits or improvements to their local communities.
“That could mean supporting projects aimed at improving community safety, or projects that respond to the particular needs of each area, investing in resources, public spaces and activities that will support positive outcomes in those areas.”
Developers pay into the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) as part of the planning process.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) came into force in 2010 to pay for the infrastructure improvements needed as part of new developments.
The Neighbourhood CIL was introduced later to ensure a portion of the levy is spent on wider improvements for the public benefit.
The council said it had reviewed its policies on developers’ payments in 2020 to ensure the maximum benefit is delivered.
It said the Community Connections Fund would strengthen links with communities in North Lambeth, Stockwell and Brixton as well as responding to specific issues in each neighbourhood.
Successful proposals “will support the ambitions of the borough plan to support communities that are thriving and connected, enable a growing economy that everyone benefits from and supporting people to live well and independently”.
They must also achieve the borough plan goals of ensuring Lambeth is a place people want to “live, work and invest in”, and be “passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion”.
Proposals will need to:
- Show support from the community
- Demonstrate they address an existing local need
- Have clear local support
- Show that they can benefit diverse communities Represent value for money.
Cllr Holland said: “By working collaboratively with local groups, we can help improve the outcomes for people in these communities and stimulate sustainable growth where the benefits are felt by everyone.
“I hope that the Community Connections Fund helps us achieve those goals by empowering local people and giving them the chance to be the leaders of lasting positive change in their communities.”
To find out more, visit the council’s Community Connections Fund website.
