Residents from across Wick and Toddington came together on Saturday (23 May) to share ideas and help shape the future of their local area.

More than 80 people attended the session at the K2 Youth and Community Centre to find out how they can help decide what £20 million of investment is spent on in the area over the coming years.

Visitors were encouraged to consider three ways of getting involved: sharing ideas through surveys, events and workshops; becoming a Community Champion to help engage the wider neighbourhood; or applying to join the Neighbourhood Board itself, the group that will shape the final decisions on how the money is used. 

Although this first event was intended as an informal drop-in session, attendees came prepared and discussed ideas ranging from cleaner public spaces and safer streets to community events and more opportunities for training and upskilling in the local area. 

Chair of the Neighbourhood Board Jon Jolly coordinated the drop-in session. “The turnout on Saturday showed just how much people care about this area and its future,” he said. “Even at this early stage, we’ve sensed strong enthusiasm among residents and have already heard some inspired ideas – which is exactly what this programme needs to work.”

Applications to join the Neighbourhood Board are now open and will close on 14 June. The Neighbourhood Board will have at least eight members and will be drawn from as wide a range of backgrounds as possible; young people, parents and carers, business owners, and retired residents are all encouraged to apply. No prior knowledge or experience is required.

Community Champions play a different but equally important role: supporting the Neighbourhood Board, sharing ideas from the wider community and spreading the word about the programme. The role is flexible and designed to fit around existing commitments.

Karen Knight, of Toddington, visited the drop-in to share her ideas about the area she lives in “we need more community facilities such as sports for older children, shops for those who do not have transport and somewhere we can come together”. Learning about what the programme aims to achieve, Karen, added “it is good that the local community is involved in the decision making process.”

Following the close of applications, members of the Neighbourhood Board will be selected and announced in July. From that point, residents across Wick and Toddington will be invited to share their priorities through workshops, events and online activities throughout the summer and autumn.

Final plans for how the £20 million should be spent must be submitted to the Government by November, with funded projects expected to get underway in autumn 2027.

How to get involved

Any local residents keen to take part can find out more and complete the expression of interest form at www.littlehampton-tc.gov.uk/prideinplace

Key dates

14 June 2026: Deadline for Neighbourhood Board applications

July 2026: Neighbourhood Board members announced

Summer – autumn 2026: Community consultation: workshops, events and online activities

November 2026: Final spending plan submitted to the Government

2027: Funded projects expected to begin