Community-led projects receive £80,000 boost from The Royal Docks Team

Resident participation image
  • Additional £80k provided to Newham Council’s People Powered Places fund
  • Boost in support for community-led projects in the Royal Docks
  • Funding to address local priorities chosen by residents

The Royal Docks Team has provided £80k to Newham Council’s People Powered Places programme to support community-led projects in the Royal Docks.

The boost in funding will support projects to address a set of priorities chosen by residents from two Community Neighbourhoods in and around the Royal Docks, including Beckton, Canning Town and Custom House. 

Councillor Charlene McLean, Cabinet Member for Resident Engagement and Resident Experience, said: “We are delighted that People Powered Places can do even more to support communities across the Royal Docks. With the additional funding from the Royal Docks Team, we will be able to support residents to take action on the priorities they set for their neighbourhoods. Across Newham, we are seeing real, lasting improvements through community-delivered projects. I look forward to seeing what more can be achieved through People Powered Places in the Royal Docks.”  

Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, said: “The People Powered Places programme is already doing brilliant work supporting community-led initiatives in the Royal Docks area. This funding will provide further help, enabling local residents to come together and develop innovative projects that improve their neighbourhoods and celebrate the area’s rich heritage. By working in partnership, we can build a fairer, safer and more inclusive London for everyone."

The Royal Docks Team, a joint initiative between the Mayor of London and the Mayor of Newham, is merging its own Create Your Docks fund, which has supported over 18 projects across the local area, with People Powered Places.

People Powered Places is one of the country’s largest and most comprehensive participatory budgeting programmes, supporting 157 projects over the last two years while strengthening the partnership between the Council and residents. It is recognised as a best in class example of what can be achieved.

Each of Newham’s eight community neighbourhoods has been given £200,000 to fund successful projects that meet three local priorities residents chose in May.

Once applications have been received, the Council will work alongside 149 local people – who have volunteered to be working group members – to shortlist proposals to put forward, Newham residents will then be able to vote for their favourite projects this autumn.

The £1.6 million of funding is sourced from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL), a charge on new development to help fund strategic and neighbourhood infrastructure in Newham.

Projects are invited to apply for funding – residents can apply for a grant of up to £5,000, while voluntary, community and faith sector groups can apply for a grant of up to £20,000.  

Project applications are open now until Sunday, 3 September 2023, for more information visit: www.newham.gov.uk/projectapplication 

Published: 10 Aug 2023