Give communities power and increase community hubs

I gave our residents a direct say in our climate policy with the first ever citizens assembly run by a Combined Authority. A representative selection of our citizens got to hear evidence and weight decisions over 30 hours – and I accepted their recommendations. I also plan to run a citizens assembly on transport.

I’ll increase our existing Community Hubs programme – which funds youth and community projects and buildings.  These have been phenomenally successful – I’ll roll out more, especially in towns and villages that have seen facilities close, like the Durham coalfield.

I directly fund community projects – and let communities decide their own priorities. Existing projects range from community gardens in Shieldfield, bee keeping on the Meadow Well, beach wheelchairs in Cullercoats, planting trees and flowers in back lanes, and tackling food poverty with community bakeries.  I’ll make this available to every community in the North East.