Funds ranging from a couple of hundred pounds to over £100,000 in exceptional circumstances are available for residents, businesses and community groups in the Bournemouth and Poole area.

A total of £1.2 million is available from the CIL Neighbourhood Portion Fund which is a locally set planning charge on developments intended for reinvestment back into improving local education, transport, health and community facilities.

Open until 5 July BCP Council is inviting local people to submit bids for projects which will improve, benefit and shape the development of their community for the future.

Projects can include: environmental improvements; public art; street furniture; equipment for a community group; provision of more facilities for the community; projects that are beneficial to a local ward area and projects that benefit the broader community

Cllr Philip Broadhead, BCP Council deputy leader and portfolio holder for strategic planning, said: “In recent years the CIL Neighbourhood Portion Fund has helped deliver projects such as the Hamworthy Park Paddling Poole, Spurrier’s Play Park at Upton Country Park and Slades Farm Pavilion in Bournemouth.”

BCP Council operates two schemes in Bournemouth and Poole. Communities can bid for funding contributions collected from development that has taken place in their ward area. A strategic funding pot is also available for areas with low CIL contributions. The full details, guidance and criteria are available online.

Cllr Jane Kelly, BCP Council lead member for engagement, said: “We want our communities to feel engaged and included in the future development of their neighbourhood, street, road, park or community centre.

“To ensure the best chances for success, and to make the most of this opportunity, I encourage you to get involved early and share your ideas with your ward councillors first before submitting.”

For other areas, including Christchurch, the CIL Neighbourhood Portion will be passed directly to the parish and town councils for redistribution. In Neighbourhood Plan Areas, BCP Council will work directly with the Neighbourhood Forums and the communities they represent to spend their allocated funding.

To find out more and check how much funding is available in each ward, please visit: bcpcouncil.gov.uk/CILNeighbourhoodPortion