Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy Fund

The strategic element of CIL is for the funding of ‘the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure to support the development of the area’ (Regulation 59 (1) of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2010, as amended. The levy can be used to increase the capacity of existing infrastructure or to repair failing existing infrastructure if that is necessary to support development. However, it should not be used to remedy pre-existing infrastructure deficiencies, unless these deficiencies will be exacerbated by new development.

Section 216(2) of the Planning Act 2008 and Regulation 59, as amended by the 2012 and 2013 Regulations, allows the levy to be used to fund a broad range of facilities such as play areas, open spaces, parks and green spaces, cultural and sports facilities, healthcare facilities, academies and free schools, district heating schemes and police stations and other community safety facilities. In Mole Valley, in most cases, strategic CIL will be passed to other infrastructure providers to deliver schemes. SCIL funding may also help fund infrastructure outside the district where it would support the needs of people in Mole Valley.

However, Strategic CIL funding will not be awarded for:

• Infrastructure that is not supported by lead statutory bodies, for example, traffic calming or pedestrian crossings if these are not considered as required infrastructure by the relevant highways authority, projects within education settings (including academy and other school or early years settings) that are not supported by Surrey County Council;
• Ongoing operational or maintenance costs; and
• VAT where this can be reclaimed.

The SCIL Priority Spending Programme (PSP) is a list of priority infrastructure projects that the Council regards as suitable in principle. They may have constraints and challenges, but these would not rule the projects out on a prima facie basis.

As far as possible, the PSP gives indicative figures for the overall project costs as well as the contribution from Strategic CIL. It also identifies the organisation that would lead on the delivery of the project, phasing periods indicating whether the project is likely to be delivered within the next five years or beyond, and the wards in which the proposed infrastructure schemes would be located.

Twice a year infrastructure providers will have the opportunity to put their case for amendments to the PSP and propose the inclusion of new or modified projects. The SCIL Working Group, made up of a panel of councillors, meets periodically to make a recommendation to Cabinet on the PSP. This process reflects the fact that it is not possible to specify precisely all the necessary projects for the duration of the Local Plan period.

The PSP itself does not allocate funding (that requires subsequent funding applications to be made) and the delivery of schemes will be expected to be carried out in accordance with all engagement and consenting requirements that may apply.

The justification for the need for the projects is contained in the Local Plan evidence base and other studies. Many of these documents can be found in the Planning Evidence Base page.

In addition, the Planning Policy Team has liaised with infrastructure providers such as Surrey Country Council, Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Partnership, Great Western Railway, Network Rail, the Football Foundation and Mole Valley District Council’s own Parks and Open Spaces Team to get an up-to-date picture of the suitable projects that meet the objective of supporting Local Plan development growth and which would need strategic CIL support.

Normally the inclusion of the project on the PSP will be a prerequisite for the consideration of funding applications. However, in exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to consider the application and the inclusion of the scheme on the PSP at the same working group.

It was agreed at the November 2024 Cabinet meeting that officers would engage with infrastructure providers to bring forward funding applications. It will be possible for submissions to be made on a straight funding basis where they are “project delivery funding” applications that can be delivered more immediately and should be able to commence within the twelve months of the award (as is currently the case for projects awarded Neighbourhood CIL).

Alternatively, it will be possible for applications to be made on a “programme funding” basis. For programme funding awards, money would be allocated (ring-fenced) but not released until the information confirming imminent delivery is submitted. This process will allow infrastructure providers to commit to the work required to establish business plans and apply for other funding in the knowledge that there is contributory capital funding set aside from SCIL for the project for a period of time.

For both types of applications, it will only be possible for claims to be made against funds that are available at the time in the SCIL pot. They cannot be made against anticipated future CIL receipts.

Please see our Guidance Note on the SCIL funding applications process before submitting an application.

Please submit your application through our online form.

Strategic CIL Application Form ›

SCIL funding applications will come from infrastructure providers or commissioners, such as Surrey Country Council, Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership, Network Rail, and even Mole Valley District Council itself, with the exception of some sports projects.

Projects need to address the key issues raised by Local Plan growth within the district and their benefits will be assessed. They also need to demonstrate that they are deliverable within the timeframes stated.

Complete applications will be reviewed by the SCIL Working Group, made up of a panel of councillors. The Working Group can recommend the allocation or granting of funds, it can refuse the application, or it can defer its consideration until a later date. Similarly, it can recommend the inclusion of a project on the PSP or its removal. The working group’s recommendations are then referred to Cabinet for the final decision.

Please see our Guidance Note on the SCIL funding applications process.