Surrey County Council is to launch a £100m five-year community fund, giving residents the opportunity to make place changing projects come to life.
The council will seek ideas from residents and help them develop projects that make a lasting difference to their local community – with a commitment to funding £100m worth of schemes.
The Community Projects Fund will launch in the autumn following Cabinet approval today, with a huge local engagement programme planned.
Councillor Mark Nuti, the Deputy Cabinet Member leading the Fund, said: “We want to really empower residents.
“This is about you every person who lives in Surrey – we want you to tell us what you need, what you want, what you’ve dreamed of that will make life and living in your area better.
“COVID has brought communities together and we want to build and expand on the good will and commitment we’ve seen to establish a legacy that we can all be proud of.
“Whether it’s new community sports pitches, rejuvenating the high street, expanding charity premises, a new community centre, or a new urban beach or playground, we want to hear people’s ideas and aspirations for their place, the weird and the wonderful and the bigger the better.”
The Fund will use digital engagement mapping tools so people can easily plot ideas and encourage other local residents to give feedback and support, enabling ideas to grow and for people to connect within their communities.
There will also be opportunities to engage through active community groups, in local areas directly during engagement events and within public buildings like libraries.
While larger schemes are encouraged, ideas are also welcome for smaller, quicker projects that can make an instant impact in an area.
The council will work with the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector, as well as local councillors in Surrey, to help promote the scheme and understand the needs in local areas.
The details of the Fund and how it will be administered will be finalised over the summer during which co-design activities with residents and stakeholders will help develop the proposals, with more information announced in due course.
