The Peckham Neighbourhood Community Meeting was scheduled to discuss the allocation of funds for local improvement projects. Key items on the agenda included the Devolved Highways Budget, the Cleaner Greener Safer programme, and the Neighbourhoods Fund.

Devolved Highways Budget 2026-27

The meeting was scheduled to consider the allocation of £76,190 for the 2026-27 Devolved Highways Budget (DHB) programme within the Peckham Neighbourhood area. This funding is intended for highway renewal and maintenance projects that may not be prioritised in the borough-wide programme. The DHB programme allows for a range of minor traffic and highway capital schemes, including footway and carriageway resurfacing, traffic calming measures, localised repairs, and accessibility improvements. The report indicated that there was no additional funding available from previous years' underspends or project cancellations. The DHB programme aligns with the council's policies on sustainability and regeneration, supporting active travel and road safety improvements, and contributing to the council's ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Cleaner Greener Safer 2026-27

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the allocation of funds for the Cleaner Greener Safer (CGS) capital programme for the Peckham Neighbourhood. The meeting was asked to approve the reallocation of £54,404 from underspent funds and project cancellations to the 2026-27 CGS budget. In addition, £127,800 was proposed for allocation to new projects, bringing the total available funds for the 2026-27 financial year to £182,204. The CGS programme, running since 2003, funds capital improvements that make local areas cleaner, greener, or safer, such as park enhancements, playground upgrades, tree planting, and security measures. The report highlighted that CGS projects align with the council's Fairer Greener Safer – Southwark Council Delivery Plan 2022-2026 and the Streets for People Strategy 2023-2030, aiming to create healthier neighbourhoods, cleaner air, and safer roads. The programme also supports the council's ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Allocation of Neighbourhood Grants 2026-27

The meeting was also scheduled to approve the allocation of funds for the 2026-27 Neighbourhoods Fund, also known as the Neighbourhood Grants. This fund supports revenue-funded community activity. A comprehensive list of applications, detailed in Appendix 1 of the report Appendix 1 - All Peckham Neighbourhood Applications 2026-27, was provided for consideration. The applications covered a wide range of community initiatives, including:

• Youth and Children's Programmes: Projects such as the Young Voices Debate Club by Miss Adiza Koroma, STST Neighbourhood Creatives: Early Learning Through Art by Staffordshire Street C.I.C., Strong Together for SEND children by Stephtogether, Millwall Kicks @ Damilola Taylor Centre by Millwall Community Trust, and Basketball 4 All by Legends Academy were listed. These initiatives aim to empower young people through education, arts, sports, and skill development.
• Community Wellbeing and Support: Several applications focused on improving the wellbeing of residents, including Journey into Good Mental Health and Well-being by London Senior Social, Belonging by Peckham Soup Kitchen, Move For Wellbeing by Ernest Nkrumah, and Queer Minds by South East London Mind. These projects aim to combat loneliness, improve mental health, and foster social connection.
• Environmental and Green Initiatives: Projects like All Saints Therapeutic Community Garden by All Saints Peckham and Community gardening workshops by Miss Ana Downer Duprey aimed to enhance green spaces, promote biodiversity, and encourage sustainable practices.
• Skills Development and Enterprise: Applications such as Empowerment for women in the community by Gbemisola Oguntuyo Oloyede, Peckham Community Enterprise & Sustainability Hub by Mr Paul Ikhinmwin, and Inspiring DJs by Tendai Chagweda sought to equip residents with new skills, support local businesses, and foster entrepreneurship.
• Cultural and Arts Projects: The Peckham and Nunhead Free Film Festival and Spirit of Africa Festival by Destiny 2 Education were among the applications aiming to celebrate local culture and provide accessible arts and entertainment.
• Support for Vulnerable Groups: Initiatives like Call Sean – Helping Hands for Safer Homes by Mr Sean Lawson, Cost of living confidence workshops And Community Cohesion by Bold Tendencies, and programmes supporting asylum seekers and refugees were also detailed.

The report for the Neighbourhood Grants Report Allocation of Neighbourhood Grants 2026-27 Neighbourhoods Fund outlined that the application process for funding was revised to use a single application form for all three programmes (Neighbourhoods Fund, CGS, and DHB), with officers allocating them to the appropriate programme. This combined process is known as the Neighbourhood Grants.