More than £1.4million in funding to be allocated to projects in Lichfield
Plans to distribute more than £1.4million in funding to six projects across Lichfield are set to be agreed. The funding has been raised from developers from new building projects in the area.
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The community infrastructure levy allows the local authority to spend the money on strategic infrastructure such as safer road schemes, flood defences, schools and social care facilities. Now six projects are set to benefit.
Under the proposals the biggest beneficiary of the funding is Stoke and Staffordshire Integrated Care Board, who could receive more than £1.1million for a new primary health centre in Burntwood. The suggested amount is lower than the £1.2million that was bid, however the reduced award allows other smaller projects to be funded.
Amongst the other projects are £200,000 to help restore phase two of the Tamworth Road canal restoration and £45,000 for a multi-use games area in Alrewas.
A report in the name of Councillor Alex Farrell said: “In October 2024 £1,485,000 in Strategic CIL funds were available to allocate. On 22 October 2024, we invited infrastructure providers to submit applications for this in accordance with the IL. At the deadline on the 22 November, 15 applications had been received, totalling £2,893,000
“It is recommended that six of the eight projects should be allocated CIL funding.”
Other projects that could get the green light include a community park in Elford; speed awareness signs in Drayton Bassett and the introduction of yellow lines along Common Lane in Whittington.
The report continues: “It is recommended to not fund two projects. The first is the Staffordshire County Council Bus Information infrastructure project, which is for £517,000, approximately a third of the CIL funding available. After awarding funding to the two highest scoring projects, only a small amount is left and a partial funding award to this project would have very limited impact.
“Allocating funding to smaller projects in our rural communities will have a greater impact for our residents. The second project is Lichfield City Council – Solar panels on Guildhall roof. This is not recommended for funding as while it broadly fits low carbon Infrastructure List requirements, it had a low score as the application has no match funding, no listed building consent and no evidence of stakeholder support.”
