The £4million Community Connections Fund will support local groups, projects and good causes in the Neighbourhood Areas of North Lambeth, Waterloo, Brixton, and Stockwell over the next three years.
It will be funded through developers’ payments into the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) and will be delivered in phases, with the first round of £1million funding set to launch in the Spring.
Lambeth Council leader Cllr 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.”
The CIL is a charge levied on developers that came into force in 2010 to pay for the infrastructure improvements needed as part of new developments. The neighbourhood CIL was later introduced to ensure a portion of the levy is spent on wider improvements for the public benefit.
The council reviewed its policies on developers’ payments in 2020 to ensure the maximum benefit could be delivered.
The Community Connections Fund will strengthen links with communities in North Lambeth and 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 also need to show support within the community, demonstrate they address an existing local need, having clear local support, that they can benefit diverse communities, and represent value for money.
Cllr Holland added: “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 help 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 and to apply please visit our Community Connections Fund website.
