Borough Councillors have chosen to allocate over £216,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy funds on a selection of projects within Epsom and Ewell.

Each year, borough councillors and local community groups are able to bid for funds from the Community Infrastructure Levy for local projects, with winning bids selected by a committee of councillors.

The projects receiving funds this year are:
• 1st Ewell Court Scout Group for storage facilities
• Girl Guiding Epsom to fund a trench for utilities to service campsite lodge
• Outdoor gym for Court Recreation Ground
• CCTV for Alexandra Recreation Ground
• Rifle Butts Alley footpath resurfacing
• New gates at Hook Road Arena to address anti-social behaviour
• New drinking water fountains in six parks as part of a push against single use plastics
• A replacement playground for London Road Recreation Ground
• Refurbishment of the Longmead MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) with specific emphasis on deterring antisocial behaviour.

Councillor Eber Kington, Chairman of the Strategy & Resources Committee, said “The Community Infrastructure Levy provides us with an opportunity to use contributions from developers for the benefit of our residents and I am pleased that, once again, we have been able to support a range of bids from community groups providing new infrastructure in locations across the borough.

“Many of the projects will support outdoor leisure activities, particularly for young people, at a time when being outside and active is encouraged. Keeping people safe is also a theme of the bids, and I am pleased that we have been able to support those projects too.”

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allows the council to raise funds from developers undertaking new building projects in the borough and is used to support new physical and social infrastructure and to improve existing facilities. Under legislation, 80% of total CIL collected has to be allocated towards borough wide infrastructure and up to 5% towards administration. In addition, at least 15% of levy receipts must be spent on priorities as agreed with the local community.