It’s time to vote on Community Assembly projects

Newham has eight Community Neighbourhoods and each has been allocated £100,000 funding by the Council to spend on improving the local area. Local residents now have the chance to directly affect how these funds are spent. 

The current cycle of Newham’s ambitious Community Assembly cycle began back in May, when residents and community groups were asked to put forward ideas for how funds could be used to meet local priorities. Almost 150 project ideas were submitted across the borough. Community Neighbourhood working groups, made up of local people, council officers and councillors, have looked through every application and shortlisted those that meet the funding criteria.  

Now it’s time for local residents to vote on the projects they want to see happening in their local area. Some fantastic projects have been funded in previous years that have had real impact on local communities, such as re-greening Newham’s outdoor spaces, transforming play areas, and new arts and wellbeing programmes. This year, local communities have come up with lots of exciting and creative ideas and are now asking for residents to support their ideas by voting for the ones they want to see going forward.  

Councillor Charlene McLean, Cabinet Member for Resident Engagement and Experience said; “Community Assemblies are a key part of the Council’s plans to address the democratic deficit, inviting our residents to directly affect the way money is spent to improve their lives, and their local community. 

“It’s putting genuine ‘People Power’ into direct action and I really hope as many of you as possible take part to make your local area somewhere you and your neighbours can enjoy, take pride in, and lead happier, healthier lives.”

Voting is open until Wednesday 27 July. Visit https://newhamco-create.co.uk/en/folders/assemblies-2022 to vote now.

Anyone who doesn’t have access to the internet or needs any support with voting online can visit their local library, where staff can support them to sign up and vote.

Here is a step by step guide for how to vote on your local Community Assembly projects:

• First, head to https://newhamco-create.co.uk/en/folders/assemblies-2022 and select your Community Neighbourhood.
• Here you will be able to see all the project ideas that have been put forward in your area.
• You will be given a budget of £100,000 to allocate to the projects you like best. Some neighbourhoods have additional money that were spent in the previous cycle.
• Choose the projects you feel will most benefit your community by clicking the ‘ADD’ button
• You will be able to select projects up to the value of money available in that neighbourhood
• You can only vote once in each of the Community Neighbourhoods

Residents discuss their ideas at a Community Assembly meeting in May

Inclusive spaces is a priority for Beckton and Royal Docks Community Neighbourhood, where a new food and wellbeing hub was set up 

A playground on Alma Street was transformed by a local organisation thanks to funding from the Community Assemblies

Previous Community Assembly projects have improved Newham’s parks and green spaces