Sompting residents asked how to spend £1 million funding

Over the next 10 years people living in Sompting will benefit from the investment by Big Local, which is part of the Local Trust.

The funding, given to communities across the country, aims to improve areas by working directly with the people who live in them to identify places that could benefit from funding.

The residents in Sompting who will benefit from the money are now being asked to decide how the funding should be spent and what areas for improvement should be prioritised.

To help do this, residents and those working in Sompting are invited from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday, February 9, to visit Sir Robert Woodard Academy, in Upper Boundstone Lane, and find out more about the investment.

David Simmons, Adur cabinet member for health safety and well-being, said: “This is Big Society in action and we are looking forward to the community taking an active role in developing services to address needs in our local community. We are inviting everyone to come along and get involved.”

Adur District Council and partners have been working over the past few months to secure the funding and now aim to spread the word within Sompting and pull in residents to lead the work.

Though Adur council has had a role in securing the funding, Big Local works independently from local authorities and central Government, relying on input from the people who live in the area.

Big Local encourages long-term ideas, as the money is delivered over a 10-year period.

As part of the project, Big Local is also funding a £30k Star People project for individuals who have ideas that will benefit the area and need access to money to establish their ideas.