Community assemblies

Community Assembly 2022-2023 programme

The Community Assembly programme is London Borough of Newham's flagship programme of participatory budgeting and is a beacon of best practice in participatory democracy.

Since launch, the programme has become one of the largest participatory budgeting initiatives in the UK and delivered lasting transformation with more than 200 projects funded that have had real impact on the borough, including by improving engagement between the Council and residents.

It is recognised by leaders in participatory democracy as a best in class example of what can be achieved. Now in its third cycle, the Community Assembly 2022-2023 programme is fundamental to delivery of the London Borough of Newham’s four-year Corporate plan 'Building a Fairer Newham'. Within this plan, Community Assemblies are included in the Council’s commitment to build a "People powered Newham and widening participation”.

Over the last two years, the overall funds allocated to the Community Assembly programme is £1.6 million of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding. Through two cycles of Community Assemblies, these funds were allocated to a total of 157 projects that were voted on by Newham residents through the participatory budgeting process, 82 in the 2021-2022 cycle and 75 in the 2022- 2023 cycle. The projects that were successful each addressed a local priority. There were 24 local priorities co-produced by residents across all eight neighbourhood areas for the two-year cycle.

Read the Community Assembly Programme 2021-2023 Evaluation Report (PDF)

How it works

The borough of Newham has eight Community Neighbourhoods and each neighbourhood has been allocated £100,000 funding to spend on improving the area. Each of the Community Neighbourhoods covers two or three local wards. The Community Assemblies deal with making improvements to that whole area rather than one particular street or ward. Anyone who lives, works or learns in the Community Neighbourhood can take part.

In the previous cycle, residents put forward and voted for their top three priorities of concern for each neighbourhood. These priorities were carried forward to the current cycle. Residents and community groups were invited to develop project plans to meet the priority needs in their area. Residents were then able to decide which projects are allocated a portion of the £100,000 in their neighbourhood by voting for their favourite projects on Newham Co-create.

The successful projects have started happening in each Community Neighbourhood.

You can find out more about this cycle of assemblies and how to get involved by visiting the Newham Cocreate Platform.

Join your local Community Assembly: Project showcase

Your neighbours are delivering great projects in your area. Come and meet them and celebrate positive change in your neighbourhood!

In 2022, residents applied for a share of £100K. Residents submitted Project Proposals. You voted for your favourites. Now they are well underway on delivering those projects.

Join your local Community Assembly to hear how these projects have and will impact your neighbourhood. Find out how they have met the local priorities you set in your area.

Enjoy some food, make connections, celebrate the achievements and discover how you can get involved.

Register to attend in person or online. If you can't register, just turn up.
 

Our story so far

You can watch this short video of the Community Assemblies story so far:

Find out more about how it works, the current 2022/2023 cycle and how to get involved on our Newham Co-create platform.