THE search is on to find residents to have a say on how money from new developments is spent in the town.

This fund could reach more than half a million pounds over the next decade.

Knutsford Town Council’s CIL advisory committee will make recommendations to the Town Council on what projects it should fund using its share of Community Infrastructure Levy.

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This levy was introduced in Cheshire East in 2019 and 25 per cent of the receipts for Knutsford housing development is paid to Knutsford Town Council which expects to receive more than half a million pounds over the next decade.

The town council currently holds just under £26,500 as the ‘neighbourhood share’ of CIL which can be spent on infrastructure or anything else which addresses the demands development places on the town.

The council has adopted a CIL Framework to govern how it will make decisions on using this important investment in the community.

The framework acknowledges that whilst the town council is the recipient, it may be that the best use of the funds would be for projects delivered by partner organisations.

The framework sets out that decisions on which projects should receive CIL funding will be chosen by a joint committee of residents and councillors.

The role of the advisory committee will be to review bids for funds and produce a recommendation to the council’s Finance Committee. The council is looking for six residents to join the committee.

The first meeting will be held in February when it will consider the process and first proposal.

It is anticipated it will meet no more than four times per year, depending on applications and available funds.

Town clerk Adam Keppel-Green said: “In the last three years we have received just over £26k from minor developments and there is the potential for significant sums if major housebuilding is approved on Manchester Road.

“This committee will help determine how the Town Council prioritises this investment for the community.”

Anyone interested in joining the committee can email townclerk@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk setting out why you would like to be considered by January 31.