Town and parish councils in Dorset can now make decisions about how money will be spent in their local area.

Section 106 funds from developers are now being transferred to town and parish councils and community groups to spend on agreed community facilities.

Section 106 funding is a legal agreement between developer and planning authority –  Dorset Council. It is used to make a development acceptable in planning terms where it would otherwise be undesirable. It is based on the specific needs of the local community and can be used for facilities such as village halls, schools, or for affordable housing and roads.

Any money that is transferred will be the responsibility of the council or community group to manage. These funds, usually, have to be spent within 10 years of receipt and, if not, the funds may be returned.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council portfolio holder for Planning, said: “This is a big step forward with our promise to work closer with town and parish councils when we became a unitary authority. Local communities are often better placed to make decisions about the location of facilities than we are.”

The protocol came into effect on 19 May.