Funding for local projects

Where funding comes from

As part of the planning process, a developer often has to give money to the council to pay for improvements in the area where their development is happening.

This is usually through a planning charge called the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) but is sometimes through a planning obligation called a Section 106 agreement.

A portion of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is allocated to area committees for spending decisions. This is referred to as local CIL. Area committees also make decisions about some Section 106 agreements.

 

What S106 and CIL money is used for

Section 106 funds

S106 funds are often explicitly for highways improvements, parks improvements and tree planting.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

85% of CIL money raised is used to pay for city-wide projects delivered by Bristol City Council. For example, improving roads and schools.  

15% of CIL is devolved to Area Committees for local projects. This is also knowen as Local CIL. This can be spent anywhere within the area covered by an area committee, as long as it aligns with the legal requirements for CIL usage.

15% of Local CIL is allocated to a city-wide Equity Fund to be spent on projects across Bristol that meet its criteria. This is to support infrastructure projects in areas of greatest deprivation and with a focus on equity.

Areas with a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) receive 25% of CIL funds raised within their area to support the priorities they've identified.

Local councillors allocate the funds through their area committees to support local priority projects, such as improving community centres or parks. There are nine area committees that cover the city.  

Amount of available funds

The amount of funds depends on the number and scale of new developments that are taking place in each of the areas covered by the nine area committees.

CIL money is paid to the council throughout the year so each area's CIL fund increases every month.

Local CIL projects can be spent anywhere within the area covered by an area committee, as long as it aligns with the legal requirements for CIL usage.

The use of S106 funds must comply with the terms outlined in the legal agreement between the developer and the council.

Our quarterly reports show how much is available for each area committee, the amounts already allocated, and the purposes of each S106 fund:

Who decides how the money gets spent

Councillors work with the local communities in their wards to identify and prioritise neighbourhood improvements to fund using money that's available to them.  Even where funding is insufficient in a given year, they are encouraged to discuss priorities that could be funded in future years or through an alternative pot.

Councillors make decisions about local funds once a year in the city's 9 area committee meetings.

Neighbourhood plans

Area Committee funding process

The annual Area Committee funding process is divided into 3 stages.

Stage 1: Identifying local priorities

  • Conversations to identify local priorities
  • Stage 1 forms submitted
  • Surgeries held between councillors and Bristol City Council (BCC) officers
  • Community and councillor prioritisation
  • First formal meeting
  • Invitations to submit full stage 2 proposals

Stage 2: Proposal development and decision making

  • Full proposals developed by delivery body (community group or BCC department)
  • Full proposals submitted
  • BCC technical assessment
  • Second formal meeting
  • Make funding decisions

Stage 3: Grant management and delivery

  • Funding agreements drawn up and funding transferred to community groups
  • Projects delivered
  • 6-monthly progress updates
  • End of project monitoring

Timetable 2025 to 2026

View the  pdf Area Committee funding timetable 2025 to 2026(67 KB) . 

Apply for Area Committee funding

Check the guidance

You must check the  pdf guidance on Area Committee funding, how to complete the Stage 1 form and the eligibility criteria for CIL funding(422 KB)  before you make an application.

To receive funding, you must meet the eligibility criteria.

Submit a Stage 1 form

Once a community priority has been identified, VCSE organisations, residents or councillors should complete a Stage 1 form. Your Councillor should be aware of your proposal and have endorsed it.

document Complete a Stage 1 form(66 KB)

The deadline to submit a Stage 1 form was the 23 March 2026. Proposals will be shortlisted in May and June 2026.

Stage 1 proposals 2026

The Stage 1 proposals received by each Area Committee are shown in the documents below:

In the last round of CIL funding, Stage 1 forms related to transport or road safety were not accepted, this was to allow time for the transport teams to catch up on outstanding schemes. This year, transport and road safety related proposals were accepted, you can also make suggestions on how your street and public spaces could be improved online.

Submit a Stage 2 full project proposal

We'll contact all applicants who're invited to Stage 2 to develop a full project proposal. The forms will be shared by email.

For guidance on creating a good Equalities Impact Assessment:

Projects funded by local CIL and S106

The following reports are from the latest round of updates made in February 2026. These updates cover projects approved for funding since 2018.

You can also view the webpage for each area to see:

  • further information about the committee
  • a map of projects and their updates
  • a look at the impact of some completed projects

Community Projects

Area Committee 1

Wards: Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston, Henbury and Brentry, Horfield, Southmead

Area Committee 2

Wards: Stoke Bishop, Westbury on Trym and Henleaze, Redland, Bishopston and Ashley Down

Area Committee 3

Wards: Clifton, Clifton Down, Cotham, Hotwells and Harbourside

Area Committee 4

Wards: Central, Ashley, Lawrence Hill, Easton

Area Committee 5

Wards: Lockleaze, Eastville, Hillfields, Frome Vale

Area Committee 6

Wards: St George West, St George Central, St George Troopers Hill

Area Committee 7

Wards: Southville, Bedminster, Windmill Hill, Filwood

Area Committee 8

Wards: Hartcliffe and Withywood, Bishopsworth, Hengrove and Whitchurch Park

Area Committee 9

Wards: Knowle, Stockwood, Brislington West, Brislington East

Bristol City Council projects

Our teams delivering CIL/S106 projects have provided an update on all their ongoing projects below:

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