Solihull councillors have emphasised the need for improvements in the process used to determine which groups and organisations receive funding from the local ‘developer tax’. This charge, part of the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) introduced by Solihull Council in 2010, requires developers to pay a planning tariff aimed at supporting community development within the area.
Last year saw a record number of applications for NCIL funds, with the current 2025 funding round receiving 25 bids requesting a total of more than £1 million, despite only £388,964 being available for the non-parished areas. Consequently, council officers have resorted to using a scoring matrix, first implemented in 2019, to prioritise the bids.
Although councillors had previously agreed to review this scoring matrix, the process has been delayed due to ongoing work on the authority’s local plan. The matrix was discussed again at a recent meeting of the Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Board.
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Councillor Keith Green acknowledged the complexities involved in allocating funds, especially when multiple bids come from a single ward. He also highlighted the need to consider time-sensitive applications, such as a recent request for Christmas lighting in Knowle. Officer Alison McGrory noted the disparity in bid sizes for Knowle, suggesting that smaller bids could be approved more quickly while further assessment of larger bids continues.
Councillor Richard Holt supported the idea of facilitating smaller grants promptly but cautioned that larger projects, which may have significant community benefits, should not be overlooked. He underlined the importance of ensuring the NCIL funds are used genuinely for community infrastructure rather than subsidising commercial interests.
Councillor Laura McCarthy reflected on past grant cycles, where some organisations submitted multiple bids across different wards. She proposed limiting successful bids to one per organisation per cycle to allow a wider distribution of funds.
Councillor Paul Goldingay advocated for implementing checks and balances, such as restricting applications to one per organisation per year and possibly introducing a two-year limit.
Board chairman Councillor Alan Feeney remarked on the challenge of balancing fair allocation, observing that “When you are trying to come up with scoring matrices and ways to allocate it, you are never going to please everyone.” Officer Alison McGrory welcomed the feedback, indicating it would inform the next stage of reviewing the funding process.
The discussion highlighted the complexities involved in managing NCIL allocations, with councillors united in their desire to ensure fair and effective distribution of these developer contributions for the benefit of Solihull’s communities.