Mayor puts community development in the spotlight

Residents have been sharing their hopes and challenges as they look to improve their communities in key areas of the East Midlands. 

The Mayor of the East Midlands has hosted two engagement sessions in core wards, the latest in a series of events allowing the Mayor to engage directly with communities and stakeholders in the region. 

Events were held in Arboretum in Derby and Leamington in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, two areas eligible for a share of the Mayor’s new Community Development Fund. 

Mayor Claire Ward said: “People came together to talk about the challenges they face, but also the opportunities and their aspirations for how the community development fund might be used.  

“I met with local residents and community groups and it was fantastic to see such potential, but also to listen to the residents who know their areas best and know pretty much what they would like to see that could improve them.” 

Community development

The Mayor’s Community Development Fund is aimed at boosting community resilience, increasing local skills and enabling people to take control of shaping their own neighbourhoods. 

Launched in September, it sees community groups in 10 priority areas across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire invited to apply for a share of £3 million to tackle deprivation and improve lives.  

In Arboretum, Mayor Claire met residents and community groups from the ward and neighbouring Normanton in Arboretum Park’s Heart of the Park Cafe, before walking with schoolchildren to nearby Arboretum Primary School for a series of table discussions. 

In Leamington, the Mayor heard from residents and stakeholders at Willets Court Community Centre, before being given a guided tour of Leamington Primary Academy by pupils. 

Mayor Claire said: “What I want is for the residents in these areas to shape their own communities and to use some of the funding we’re providing in the Mayor’s Community Development Fund to make a big difference for the longer term.” 

 The Mayor will continue visiting Community Development Fund areas in 2026 to hear how communities are addressing challenges and using the funding to drive improvements.