FAQs

We manage an Infrastructure Delivery Schedule (IDS) which lists all those projects identified as being necessary to support the delivery of the Local Plan.  Each year, Council officers assess all the projects on the IDS, against a set of criteria, to prepare a shortlist of recommendations.  This shortlist is called the draft CIL Funding Programme, and we go out to public consultation with it each autumn so that you can tell us whether you agree or disagree with the shortlisted projects and any other options for spending.  We then use your comments to help prepare our final recommendations for CIL funding. Our Cabinet Members then make the final decision on those projects that will receive CIL funding in the following financial year.

When we collect CIL, most of it is kept by the Council to spend on infrastructure anywhere across the Borough.  However, a portion (usually 15%) of the CIL collected in an area is given to the relevant parish/town council for them to spend in their local area. This is called 'Neighbourhood CIL (NCIL)' and is designed to make sure that some monies are always spent in the area where the development(s) occurred. 

The amount of NCIL held by Parish/Town Councils varies; some receive more than others due to receiving more development. When we make decisions on how to spend CIL, we should also consider whether there is any NCIL available in that area. This makes sure that we get the best value from our CIL monies. 

 In some areas without a parish council, Ormskirk and Skelmersdale, we are responsible for deciding how any NCIL money should be spent, and must do this in consultation with the local communities of those areas. Where any shortlisted projects fall in those areas, the CIL Funding Programme recommends whether NCIL or CIL monies should be used.

We must spend CIL monies on community infrastructure that supports new (not existing) development. Our annual Infrastructure Funding Statement sets out the types of infrastructure that we will provide using CIL monies. Within West Lancashire, this will include things like open spaces, play areas, parks, playing pitches, outdoor sports facilities, libraries, health facilities, community centres, public realm, leisure centres, cycle networks, footpaths and bus stops. 

We must report annually on the amount of CIL we collect and what we spend it on. Parish Councils, who receive local portions, must also publish annual reports.

To assess which projects on the IDS may be suitable for CIL funding, we assess schemes against 8 key criteria: 

1. Are CIL monies needed to deliver the project?
2. Does the project meet a local need or demand that has arisen from new development?
3. Does the project fall under an appropriate infrastructure type?
4. When can the infrastructure be delivered?
5. Are clear project costs and funding known?
6. Are there 'Neighbourhood' CIL monies available in the Parish / Non Parished Area the project is located within that could fund the project?
7. Does the project help meet at least one of the Council's Corporate Priorities?
8. Is the project identified within a relevant local strategy, e.g. the Local Plan, the Highways and Transport Masterplan or the Leisure Strategy?

Schemes which meet the above criteria are then shortlisted as potentially suitable to receive CIL funding.