• Trailblazing programme gives residents the opportunity to decide how £1.6m will be spent in their local communities
- Newham Council’s People Powered Places programme sees growth in citizen participation and brings residents together with launch of The Big Vote.
On Saturday 21 October, Newham Council launched People Powered Places: The Big Vote, marking the start of a three week voting period, encouraging those who live, work and learn in the borough to choose their favourite local projects and decide how £1.6 million in funding is distributed.
The Big Vote’s first in-person voting event took place at Stratford Library. Residents came together to hear local project proposals, submit their vote and gain exclusive insight into leader board updates.
One of the largest participatory programme in the UK, Newham Council’s People Powered Places remains a beacon of best practice in participatory democracy.
Councillor Charlene McLean, Cabinet Member for Resident Engagement and Resident Experience, said: “People Powered Places makes a real impact across Newham by addressing local priorities identified by residents. Over the next three weeks, I strongly encourage all residents, voluntary, community and faith sector organisations to attend an in-person voting event, to meet our change makers and speak to residents about their project ideas directly.
“Having caught up with a few local projects myself, I’ve left feeling really inspired – their drive and passion to address local issues and change their neighbourhood for the better is contagious.
“The programme is really empowering for local communities, the £1.6m in funding really does hammer home the Council’s belief in our residents’ ability to deliver successful projects that address local issues and inequalities.”
The Big Vote will allocate a £200,000 budget for each of Newham’s eight Community Neighbourhoods including Stratford & West Ham, Forest Gate & Maryland, Plaistow, East Ham, Manor Park and Green Street. An additional fund of £80,000 will be shared between Beckton & Royal Docks and Custom House & Canning Town.
By providing residents with not one but two ways to vote, online and via local libraries, the Council aims to increase inclusivity and accessibility while widening participation.
Among the local residents present at The Big Vote’s launch was Ade Adeyemi, Working Group Member for Stratford and West Ham. Ade, who has lived in West Ham all his life, said:
“The Big Vote is empowering local residents by giving them the chance to directly choose what change they want to see in their area. From projects on conservation, to mental health, to youth empowerment – residents now have the power to say this is what I want to see happen, this is where I want the money to go.
“I’d encourage those who live, work and learn in Newham to attend an in-person voting event – you can hear about the projects directly from groups and you can feel the energy! If you’re unable to vote in-person however, you can submit your vote online. The important thing is, is to get involved because your community matters.” they added.
The money from People Powered Places is sourced from the neighbourhood community infrastructure levy (NCIL), a charge that local councils apply to housing and residential developers, which is reallocated back into local communities.
The Big Vote is open until Sunday 12 November, for more information visit: www.newham.gov.uk/thebigvote
