BOSSES at Sedgemoor District Council are calling on the Government to draw up a new policy benefiting people living near nuclear facilities such as Hinkley Point.

A report by MPs on a House of Commons Committee supported the use of Community Benefit Contributions following evidence presented by the council.

The report said community benefits – payments made to communities hosting nuclear developments – are crucial to building local trust.

SDC corporate director Bob Brown, who gave evidence to the committee, said: “Sedgemoor has championed Community Benefit Contributions to ensure that communities around Hinkley receive fair and reasonable benefits in recognition of the burden of hosting nationally beneficial energy infrastructure.”

He said current support offered in the planning process was insufficient, adding: “Commun-ities urgently need clarity from the Government about what they’re proposing and when these plans will be brought forward.”

A SDC spokesman said currently only a tiny proportion of the revenue generated by Hink-ley will be re-invested in the local community.

An EDF Energy spokesman said last year the company called for community benefits, adding: “EDF Energy believes this could be achieved by local authorities being allowed by Government to retain a proportion of locally raised business rates resulting from major capital projects.”

He said the Hinkley Point C application included more than £500million in mitigation measures, of which at least £150million will have a lasting benefit in the local community – this includes a £20million Community Fund.

He said a survey in April, 2011, showed 54% of local people considered the size of the Com-munity Fund to be either about right with 9% feeling it was too big and 17% saying it was too small.