Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
What is CIL?
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge that local councils in England and Wales place on new developments, like housing or commercial buildings. The money collected from this charge is used to fund local infrastructure, such as schools, roads, parks, and other facilities that benefit the community.
In simple terms, when a new building is constructed, the developer has to pay a fee to the council. This fee helps ensure that the area has the necessary services and amenities to support the new growth. The goal is to make sure that as the community grows, so does the infrastructure that everyone relies on.
As the planning authority, Sevenoaks District Council collects this money and passes some on to Town and Parish Councils to allocate in their area.
Town and Parish Councils have to adhere to the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended) when it comes to spending CIL monies that they receive. Monies received by the Town/Parish Council under Payment A can be spent on the following:
- The provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure;
- Anything else that is concerned with addressing the demands that development places on an area.
The money received under Payment B can be spent on the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure only.
Apply for CIL funding
Who can bid?
Bids can be submitted by the Town Council Councillors, community groups and infrastructure providers.
The application window for 2026-27 will open later this year.
Latest Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding awards for Edenbridge – Edenbridge Town Council
How to bid
View Edenbridge Town Council’s CIL Guidance and Procedures. This should be read before completing an application. Applicants should complete the CIL pro-forma.
For further advice on the bidding process, or to discuss a possible scheme for consideration, contact the Town Clerk on 01732 865368 or email townclerk@edenbridgetowncouncil.gov.uk
How will the Town Council consider bids for CIL Funding?
After the closing date, bids will be considered in accordance with the CIL Funding Guidance and Procedures. The CIL Board will meet to consider the applications.
Representation(s) will be received from the company/person/body submitting the bid and will be expected to present their bid to the CIL Board. See Meeting Procedures and Speaking Protocol (Appendix B of CIL Procedures).
This is a meeting held in public and members of the public may attend to observe.
CIL Board meetings
The CIL Board aims to meet to consider applications at least twice a year. A notice for CIL bids will be posted in the Edenbridge Magazine when possible, on the Town Council’s website and Facebook page.
View CIL Guidance and Procedures including meeting protocol and CIL Board Terms of Reference. The Council has to make an annual return to Sevenoaks District Council (the CIL collecting authority); copies of these are available under the finance pages.
See also CIL BOARD for meeting dates, agendas and minutes.
Reporting on CIL funds
Town and Parish Councils are required to report on the amount of CIL receipts received and its spending of CIL, for each financial year. It also needs to report on the amount of CIL that has been retained at the end of the financial year and also the amount that has been allocated to particular projects. This information is submitted as an annual return to Sevenoaks District Council (the CIL collecting authority).
View CIL Reports – Edenbridge Town Council