The Officer Key Decision meeting of Newham Council on Wednesday 29 April 2026 was scheduled to discuss the allocation of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding to People Powered Places projects for the 2025-27 period. This decision has been delegated to a relevant officer, and details are available in the attached documents.

Allocation of NCIL Funding to People Powered Places Projects 2025-27

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the allocation of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding to the People Powered Places (PPP) programme for the 2025-27 cycle. This programme is Newham's flagship participatory budgeting initiative, designed to empower residents to make decisions about local funding for community projects.

The report pack indicated that Cabinet had previously agreed to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Adults & Health, in consultation with the Lead Member for Resident Engagement and Resident Experience, to oversee the programme and the dispersal of funds.

The total funding envelope proposed for allocation was £1,110,770.50. This sum comprised the NCIL allocation, rollover underspends from previous PPP cycles, and a contribution from the Royal Docks Team. This funding was intended for 134 projects that had been selected by residents through a participatory budgeting process.

Additionally, the report sought approval to withdraw and close two legacy projects from previous PPP cycles in Plaistow. The unspent funds from these projects were to be returned to the Plaistow neighbourhood budget for reallocation to eligible projects within the 2025-27 programme.

The Royal Docks Team was noted to be contributing £80,000 towards projects in the Beckton & Royal Docks and Custom House & Canning Town neighbourhoods, as part of joint delivery arrangements.

The report also detailed the robust evaluation of the 2023-25 PPP cycle that informed the strengthened model for 2025-27. This included work with the University of East London to update the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and a bespoke Social Return on Investment tool.

The funding structure for the 2025-27 cycle was outlined, with 50% ringfenced for Voluntary, Community & Faith Sector (VCFS) projects (maximum award £20,000 per project), 25% for youth-led projects (maximum award £10,000 per project), and 25% for resident-led projects (maximum award £5,000 per project).

The application process for funding opened on 18 July and closed on 21 September 2025, with a total of 474 applications submitted, requesting £5.9 million. Following assessment by neighbourhood Working Groups and feasibility assessments where required, 435 applications progressed to The Big Vote, which took place from 1 November to 30 November 2025. A total of 11,139 valid votes were cast, with 2,904 in person and 8,235 online.

The report indicated that 134 projects would be offered funding in this cycle, with 24 projects receiving partial funding due to the reduced NCIL allocation. If an applicant declined their allocation, funding would be offered to the next highest-voted project within the same category.

Specific attention was given to two legacy projects in Plaistow: the Walton Road Community Garden (2021/22) and the Plaistow Eco Hub First Avenue Urban Wilderness Regeneration (2022/23). For the Walton Road Community Garden, a three-month feasibility period was proposed to explore delivery at an alternative site identified by Property Services. If delivery proved unfeasible, remaining funds would be returned to the NCIL pot. The Plaistow Eco Hub project was deemed no longer viable due to a lack of progress in securing a lease, and its unspent funds were to be returned to the Plaistow neighbourhood budget.

The report also referenced a Non-Key Decision report from 19 August 2025 concerning the acceptance of £100,000 in funding from the Royal Docks Team to support additional community projects in Beckton & Royal Docks and Custom House & Canning Town neighbourhoods. This funding included £80,000 for community grants and £20,000 for administration and staffing.

The People Powered Places programme was highlighted as supporting several priorities within the Council's Building a Fairer Newham Corporate Plan, including resetting the approach to participation and engagement, exploring innovative practices for marginalised communities, increasing community involvement, influencing local decisions, and improving satisfaction with the Council.

The report also included financial implications, noting the £0.800m NCIL allocation for the 2025-2027 cycle, with £0.100m allocated per community neighbourhood. It also detailed the £0.231m cumulative underspend from previous cycles being carried forward, and the £0.100m additional investment from the Greater London Authority (GLA) for Beckton and Royal Docks and Custom House and Canning Town neighbourhoods. Legal implications related to compliance with the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 and the Council's standing orders were also noted. An Equalities Impact Assessment from December 2025 found that while funding reductions might impact some groups, mitigation measures within the 2025-27 model would help maintain equitable access.

The report concluded with a recommendation for the Interim Assistant Chief Executive – Change & Improvement & Corporate Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer) to approve the allocation of the total funding envelope to the 134 selected projects, note the Royal Docks Team contribution, and approve the proposed next steps for the two legacy projects in Plaistow.