The Dulwich Neighbourhood Community Meeting was scheduled to discuss the allocation of funds for several local programmes. Key items included the Cleaner Greener Safer (CGS) capital funding, the Neighbourhoods Fund, and the Devolved Highways Budget for the 2026-27 financial year.

Cleaner Greener Safer (CGS) 2026-27: Capital Funding Allocation

The meeting was scheduled to consider the allocation of £89,850 for the Cleaner Greener Safer (CGS) capital programme in the Dulwich Neighbourhood. This funding is intended for projects that aim to make local areas cleaner, greener, or safer, and must result in permanent physical improvements. The report pack indicated a recommendation to approve the reallocation of £4,650 from previous years' underspends and project cancellations, alongside an allocation of £85,200 for new projects. The CGS programme, running since 2003, funds capital improvements such as park enhancements, playground upgrades, lighting, and security measures, aligning with the council's Fairer Greener Safer – Southwark Council Delivery Plan 2022-2026 and the Streets for People Strategy 2023-2030 . The report also highlighted potential health benefits from funded projects, including improved mental wellbeing through access to nature and increased physical activity, as well as contributions to the council's ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030. A list of proposed projects for the Dulwich Neighbourhood, including initiatives like the Dulwich Picture Gallery Garden Project, St Thomas More Youth Club equipment, and various park improvements, was included in Appendix 1 of the report pack.

Allocation of Neighbourhood Grants 2026-27 (Neighbourhoods Fund)

The meeting was also scheduled to review the allocation of £40,000 for the 2026-27 Neighbourhoods Fund (NsF) in the Dulwich Village and Dulwich Wood neighbourhood area. The NsF is a revenue fund designed to support small-scale, community-led activities such as events, workshops, and training. The report indicated that the total borough-wide budget for the NsF is £630,000, with an allocation of £10,000 per councillor per ward. The fund aims to strengthen neighbourhood identity, encourage participation, and foster community cohesion, aligning with the Fairer, Greener, Safer Southwark Council Delivery Plan 2022–2026 . The report detailed several applications for funding, including the Bell House Dyslexia Fair, Diwali celebrations organised by the Southwark Hindu Centre, events in Dulwich Square, and intergenerational yoga workshops. Other proposed projects included cycling initiatives by Wheels for Wellbeing and the Herne Hill Velodrome Trust, community safety projects, and the Dulwich Festival. In Dulwich Wood, applications included the Woods on Wheels forest network initiative by Guardians UK, the Gipsy Hill Village Fete, a Tuition Lab Literacy Boost project, a community vegetable patch and skills workshops, and a community leaders' rest and wellbeing project.

Devolved Highways Budget 2026-27: Capital Funding Allocation

The meeting was also set to consider the allocation of £50,792 for the 2026-27 Devolved Highways Budget (DHB) programme in the Dulwich Neighbourhood. This budget allows for local priorities in highway renewal and maintenance, including footway and carriageway resurfacing, traffic calming measures, accessibility improvements, and the installation of cycle hangars. The DHB programme is part of the council's wider non-principal road investment programme. The report highlighted that the DHB programme aligns with the council's Fairer Greener Safer delivery plan and the Streets for People strategy, aiming to promote active travel and improve road safety. Potential health benefits include increased access to public spaces and improved mental wellbeing, as well as reduced air pollution through the promotion of cycling. The report listed proposed highway projects for Dulwich Village, such as wildflower verge projects, raised beds, and bench installations, and for Dulwich Wood, including speed reduction measures on Kingswood Drive, historic bus stop repairs, and cycle track improvements.