With 55 eligible projects applying for Small Grants of up to £5,000, your vote can make a real difference, not just to the group but to your community in general.  

Some projects focus on making local green spaces better used and better cared for, including gardening and growing. Others support young people to take part in sport and outdoor activities.

There are also bids for small upgrades to halls and community centres, safety projects like public access defibrillators, and practical support that helps people stay connected locally.

Your vote can help a local group turn a good idea into something real with meaningful impact.

Voting is open from Monday 2 February to Friday 27 February 2026.

You can vote in two different ways:

• Online through Participate+ (be sure to register!)
• in person using paper ballots at your local library

Remember, you can vote for up to three projects in the ward you live in, but you don’t need to use all three votes. Votes will only count for projects in your own ward.

The winning projects will be announced on Friday 27 March 2026.

Community Choices is the Council’s participatory budgeting programme, which puts decision-making directly into the hands of local people.

Through a public vote, it provides groups with a way to apply for funding and the local community the power to decide which projects will receive financial support.