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YOU DECIDE Residents decide how to spend
This November, residents will be given £2.5million and the power to decide how it is spent to improve local neighbourhoods.
Power to the people
You Decide is a new initiative, that aims to get the whole community involved in making decisions about council budgets. This autumn, two trials will see residents choose which projects get a slice of £2.5 million towards cutting carbon emissions and supporting regeneration in the borough.
Here’s how it works…
Criteria for applications
Local people are invited to send in their ideas and proposals. As long as the applications meet the criteria, they progress to the next stage.
The community is invited to a “Decision Day” to vote on which projects get the cash.
First, a £500k pot will be up for grabs to reduce carbon emissions in the borough, as part of the council’s pledge to tackle climate change.
A community planning group, including representatives from many of Brent’s different communities, is in the process of deciding the criteria for applications. It will be targeted at improving the energy efficiency of buildings across Brent, and you’ll have the chance to vote on where the cash goes later this autumn.
Next, residents will decide how £2million should be dedicated to community projects that support the regeneration of the borough. The Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) fund is usually assessed by a panel of council officers. Using the same criteria, the public will be in the driving seat
The money will be divided equally between Willesden, Harlesden, Wembley, Kingsbury and Kenton, and Kilburn areas. All sorts of ideas will be considered, from planting new trees, painting a community centre, revamping play areas or installing public water fountains. Separate ‘Decision Days’ will be held for each of the five areas.
Councillor Krupa Sheth, Brent Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Participatory Budgeting is a brilliant initiative that gets residents directly involved in decision-making about their area. I’m delighted that one of the first trials is so closely linked to the environment, as it’s an issue which affects everyone. Together with local communities, we’re making progress against our goal of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2030.”
Cllr Shama Tatler, Lead Member for Regeneration, Property, and Planning, said: “With regeneration, we’re investing in the future of our borough and creating a place that’s alive with opportunities. NCIL is one way that local people can see the direct benefits of regeneration in shared public spaces, so it’s great that they will be able to make the final decision on which projects go from ideas to reality.”
To get involved, visit www.brent.gov.uk/ youdecide
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