Liberal coal distribution in the vicinity (5)
I believe the answer is:
local
'in the vicinity' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'liberal coal distribution' is the wordplay.
'liberal' becomes 'l' (abbreviation).
'distribution' indicates anagramming the letters.
'coal' anagrammed gives 'ocal'.
'l'+'ocal'='LOCAL'
(Other definitions for local that I've seen before include "Convenient pub" , "Confined to a limited area" , "Parish pump" , "hearing" , "Pub, maybe" .)