More than a quarter of a million pounds remains available through Torquay’s Pride in Place programme, with board members preparing to decide which projects could receive funding in the next round.
A report prepared for the Torquay Place Leadership Board states that Torbay Communities was commissioned in April 2026 to continue supporting the development of Pride in Place initiatives over the next four years.
The report says 16 of 30 proposals on the programme’s shortlist were assessed ahead of the board’s April meeting. Of those projects, six received funding, ten were carried forward, two were referred to the council’s quality assurance panel for further work on their business plans, nine remain on hold and three were merged with other proposals.
A total of £314,427 was committed at the April meeting, leaving £277,573 still available for allocation during 2026/27.
According to the report, all projects approved in April have received grant funding agreements and taken part in mobilisation meetings. The projects were assessed against the Pride in Place aims of creating thriving places, stronger communities and taking back control.
Funding allocated so far has been divided between several priorities. The report shows £85,055 was allocated to improving the town centre, £85,055 to crime and safety, £92,800 to improving neighbourhoods and £51,517 to work and skills.
The report notes that improving the town centre and tackling crime and safety were identified as the highest priorities by the public. Earlier workshops highlighted four areas requiring investment: long-term regeneration, improving the appearance of the town centre, providing alternatives for the street-attached community and bringing unused town centre spaces back into use to increase footfall.
Of the town centre-related funding allocated to date, £179,187 has gone towards providing alternatives for the street-attached community, while £19,240 has been allocated to improving the appearance of the town centre. No funding has yet been allocated to long-term regeneration or the re-use of town centre spaces.
The report states that 2026/27 will be an important year for re-engaging residents with the Pride in Place initiative and demonstrating that investment is being made in the areas identified by the community. It also highlights the need for visible progress that can be delivered in the short to medium term.
Board members have been asked to score two new business cases, consider whether to fund those projects or any of the ten proposals carried forward from April, and identify schemes that may require revised business plans before September.
Looking ahead, the board is expected to review whether funding decisions align with the regeneration vision submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, how projects can be better connected, and how additional investment can be secured.
Torbay Communities also plans a media campaign promoting Pride in Place, updates for residents and groups involved in the August 2025 engagement process, the opening of a Pride in Place high street hub on Union Street and a review of the programme’s application process.
