Choose how funds are spent

RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on how West Lancashire Borough Council should spend money raised from a special fund levy.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allows the council to raise funds from developers who are undertaking new building projects in the Borough and must be reinvested in infrastructure to support new development across the Borough.

The council will save the bulk of these funds for larger projects and have shortlisted a number of suitable projects from a list of almost 100 potential schemes.: ● £100,000 to rebuild the Hesketh Bank Community Centre

● £40,000 for improvements to Cheshire Lines Path, Downholland

The council also collects CIL funds from developments in Ormskirk that must be spent within the Ormskirk area.

West Lancashire Borough Council must decide, after consulting residents how to spend the funding in that area as Ormskirk does not have a parish council.

The shortlist of projects for spending this Ormskirk funding includes only one project: £40,000 for play area improvements at Thompson Avenue

The public consultation regarding those Ormskirk projects is limited to Ormskirk residents and businesses.

Until Friday, November 8, residents can submit their views and find out further information on the draft CIL Funding Programme online at www.westlancs. gov.uk/CFP or by dropping in to their local library or council office.

Councillor David Evans, portfolio holder for planning, said: “CIL money can really make a difference for our communities and we want as many residents as possible to get involved in this consultation and help the council decide how money should be spent.

“All comments received will be considered. A final decision on how we spend CIL monies will be made by the Council’s Cabinet in early 2020.”