Worthing Community Groups Invited To Bid For Funding

Community groups in Worthing are being invited to bid for money to improve their area.

The money comes from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which collects money from developers building new projects, so that investment can be made for the wider public good.

Footpaths, cycle ways and play facilities, community facilities (halls or meeting places) could be among the projects invested in.

Funding is allocated according to how much development has taken place in that area, so Central Ward where buildings such as Bayside are situated has the most funds totalling more than £100,000.

Community organisations, groups or clubs from Durrington, Marine, Offington, Salvington and Tarring may bid for between £1000 and £10,000 worth of funding.

Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Cllr Kevin Jenkins, said:

"We want to see Worthing progress and welcome developers who want to build good quality homes and create job opportunities in the borough. But it is only right that when they do so they make a contribution to us so we can keep updating our infrastructure to keep pace with this modernisation.

"The Neighbourhood Fund is a great way that the communities themselves can have a say on what they want to see the money spent on. I would urge all community groups in those wards to have a close look at our website page to see if their ideas fit the criteria."

 A clear assessment criteria for scoring bids has been agreed by the Council and proposals can be made from Monday, August 2 with a closing date of September 27.

Projects seeking funding from the CIL neighbourhood fund, should be community-led, and ideally be delivered by a local community organisation, group or club. Community groups are expected to discuss their bids with local ward councillors prior to submitting.

The Neighbourhood Fund is a small part of the overall CIL pot from development. The Council is actively delivering infrastructure improvements using the other money collected

Details of the Fund and how to apply can be found here:

www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/worthing-cil/neighbourhood-fund/