Residents in Whitehawk will be given a direct say in how community funding is allocated, according to local MP Chris Ward, who has spent recent weeks consulting constituents across the area.

The participatory budgeting initiative represents a departure from traditional top-down funding models, placing spending decisions in the hands of those who live in the community. Ward has been gathering input through doorstep conversations, community events, and visits to local shops throughout Whitehawk and neighbouring Peacehaven.

While specific funding amounts and timelines have not yet been disclosed, the approach reflects a growing trend in British local governance toward community-led decision-making. Participatory budgeting schemes typically allow residents to propose, debate, and vote on projects ranging from playground improvements to youth services.

Community-Led Priorities

The consultation process aims to identify local priorities before any spending decisions are made. This bottom-up approach contrasts with conventional council budgeting, where elected officials and administrators determine allocations with limited public input beyond formal consultation periods.

Whitehawk, a neighbourhood on the eastern edge of Brighton, has historically faced economic challenges and has been the subject of various regeneration efforts. Giving residents control over funding could help ensure investments address the issues locals consider most pressing, rather than those identified by outside planners.

Details on the mechanics of the decision-making process – including whether voting will be open to all residents or structured through community groups – remain to be announced. Ward's office has not yet specified the funding source or total budget residents will control.