Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy: Consultation

What is Neighbourhood CIL?

Neighbourhood CIL is a portion of the funding collected from new development happening in Exeter. It helps neighbourhoods manage the impact of growth in their area and is directed through engagement with local communities. In non‑parished areas like Exeter, the City Council allocates this funding on behalf of residents, to help benefit local communities.

How Neighbourhood CIL is used in Exeter

Since a consultation in 2019, the Neighbourhood CIL in Exeter has supported communities in two key areas:

1. Community Grants Programme

Neighbourhood CIL funds City Grants and Ward Grants, enabling local projects, events and small improvements across the city.

  • City Grants (up to £2,500) support projects that benefit multiple wards or the whole city, prioritising areas with higher inequality. In 2024/25, 29 projects reached almost 29,000 people.
  • Ward Grants (up to £350) fund small, one‑off projects in individual wards. Councillors allocate each ward’s £3,000 budget. In 2024/25, 113 projects supported more than 6,000 residents.

Projects must meet one or more priorities which are, address inequalities, Improve health and wellbeing, get people active, support communities working together to address local needs, encourage volunteering, improve where we live, support community-based arts and cultural activities, promote digital inclusion.

2. Wellbeing Exeter

Neighbourhood CIL also funds Wellbeing Exeter which helps residents, groups and neighbourhoods to connect, gain confidence and take part in community life.

The programme has four core delivery pillars:

  • Community Connecting – one‑to‑one holistic, person‑centred support
  • Community Building – neighbourhood‑level engagement, organising and group formation
  • Community Physical Activity Organisers – reducing barriers to being active and building community‑led movement
  • Network Coordination – collaboration across organisations, shared learning and system-wide insight

This work helps reduce isolation, strengthen community relationships, improve wellbeing and create more resilient neighbourhoods across Exeter.

For more on the impact of Wellbeing Exeter, please see their annual report document.

Why are we consulting now?

We want to confirm that Neighbourhood CIL continues to reflect what matters to residents. Your views will help check if current priorities are right, understand which projects communities value most and ensure funding remains fair, accessible and effective. The consultation findings will guide decisions beyond 2026/27.

How we're listening

We are gathering feedback through a public survey, along with focus groups and interviews with community organisations, residents, grant recipients and those who have not previously benefited. Insights from all engagement will shape recommendations for the future of Neighbourhood CIL.

If you want a more detailed summary of the projects and previous consultation, please see the documents to the right of the page

Complete the survey below

What is Neighbourhood CIL?

Neighbourhood CIL is a portion of the funding collected from new development happening in Exeter. It helps neighbourhoods manage the impact of growth in their area and is directed through engagement with local communities. In non‑parished areas like Exeter, the City Council allocates this funding on behalf of residents, to help benefit local communities.

How Neighbourhood CIL is used in Exeter

Since a consultation in 2019, the Neighbourhood CIL in Exeter has supported communities in two key areas:

1. Community Grants Programme

Neighbourhood CIL funds City Grants and Ward Grants, enabling local projects, events and small improvements across the city.

  • City Grants (up to £2,500) support projects that benefit multiple wards or the whole city, prioritising areas with higher inequality. In 2024/25, 29 projects reached almost 29,000 people.
  • Ward Grants (up to £350) fund small, one‑off projects in individual wards. Councillors allocate each ward’s £3,000 budget. In 2024/25, 113 projects supported more than 6,000 residents.

Projects must meet one or more priorities which are, address inequalities, Improve health and wellbeing, get people active, support communities working together to address local needs, encourage volunteering, improve where we live, support community-based arts and cultural activities, promote digital inclusion.

2. Wellbeing Exeter

Neighbourhood CIL also funds Wellbeing Exeter which helps residents, groups and neighbourhoods to connect, gain confidence and take part in community life.

The programme has four core delivery pillars:

  • Community Connecting – one‑to‑one holistic, person‑centred support
  • Community Building – neighbourhood‑level engagement, organising and group formation
  • Community Physical Activity Organisers – reducing barriers to being active and building community‑led movement
  • Network Coordination – collaboration across organisations, shared learning and system-wide insight

This work helps reduce isolation, strengthen community relationships, improve wellbeing and create more resilient neighbourhoods across Exeter.

For more on the impact of Wellbeing Exeter, please see their annual report document.

Why are we consulting now?

We want to confirm that Neighbourhood CIL continues to reflect what matters to residents. Your views will help check if current priorities are right, understand which projects communities value most and ensure funding remains fair, accessible and effective. The consultation findings will guide decisions beyond 2026/27.

How we're listening

We are gathering feedback through a public survey, along with focus groups and interviews with community organisations, residents, grant recipients and those who have not previously benefited. Insights from all engagement will shape recommendations for the future of Neighbourhood CIL.

If you want a more detailed summary of the projects and previous consultation, please see the documents to the right of the page

Complete the survey below

Page last updated: 13 Feb 2026, 02:09 PM