A recent Freedom of Information request submitted by the News has revealed how much each Southwark estate received under the ‘Great Estates Programme’.
‘Great Estates’ was launched by Southwark Council in 2019 and has seen estates receive over £2 million in council funding.
The initiative was part of the council’s drive to challenge “skewered perceptions of inner city estates” by improving their “look, feel and lived experience”, particularly after the Grenfell Fire tragedy.
Garden allotments provide green refuge for Brandon Estate residents
Speaking at the project’s launch, Cllr Leo Pollak, then Cabinet Member for social regeneration and new council homes, said: “We are incredibly excited to be launching our Great Estates programme, a new way of thinking about, talking about and making decisions about the future of our estates.
“At the heart of this is a new license for residents to work with the council to help improve the look and feel of the shared spaces in our estates, and a process for upholding new expectations to make sure our estates are safe clean and cared for.
“Our vision is to uphold our council estates as properly privileged parts of the city and we are calling on residents to come forward with new ideas – big and small – for how to improve the shared spaces in their estates.”
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The money has so far been used to improve communal bins, plant flowers, keep estates clean and more.
The ‘Allotment Expansion Guarantee’ also provided funds that helped residents set up community allotments on their green spaces.
Funding is allocated to estates on a case-by-case basis. Council officers speak to residents about how their estate could be improved and then approve funding based on what projects that they want to do.
Projects suggested by residents and their tenants’ and residents’ associations are then put to an independent panel for approval.
Here is the breakdown of how much each estate has received through the programme:
Brandon 1, Walworth: £246,329.98
Brandon 2, Walworth: £209,780.39
Brandon 3, Walworth: £232,399.33
Brandon – Conant and Rutley, Walworth: £120,900.14
Canada, Rotherhithe – £42,614.65
Elmington, Camberwell – £357,228,71
Friary, Peckham – £107,293,42
Kingswood, Dulwich – £188,391.11
Northfields, Peckham – £65,871.24
Rockingham, Elephant and Castle – £117,649.91
Rye Hill, Peckham Rye – £28,930.59