Ideas on how to spend £20m funding sought

Residents in disadvantaged communities are being invited to help decide how £20m of government funding is spent over the next decade.

A newly formed board overseeing the Pride in Place fund is holding an event on Saturday to gather ideas from people living in parts of Paignton in Devon earmarked for investment.

The funding is targeted at Blatchcombe and Blagdon, including Foxhole, Great Parks and Collaton St Mary, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Board chairman Stephen Kings said the group's role was to ask people: "What do they want to see in 10 years' time, and how do they want to get there?"

The government announced earlier this year that Paignton would receive the funding as one of 170 communities selected for support across England.

The money is intended to fund long-term improvements to areas including parks, public spaces and town centres.

"Our task is to listen to the community and find out what their priorities are," said Kings.

According to official figures, life expectancy in the Kings Ash council ward, which includes Foxhole and Great Parks, is about two-and-a-half years lower than in Torbay's least disadvantaged areas.

More than four in 10 pupils at local schools are also eligible for a deprivation premium.

The board's engagement programme includes a Pride in Place Fun Day at Foxhole Community Centre on Saturday.

Activities will include live entertainment, food, face painting, bouncy castles and other family attractions.

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