Town asked how it wants to spend £20m funding

Funding would be used to strengthen communities in Washington, the board said

A town's residents are being asked how more than £20m of funding for the area should be spent.

Washington, near Sunderland, was one of 75 places chosen to receive money over the next 10 years under the government's Plan for Neighbourhoods programme.

The Washington Plan for Neighbourhoods Board has opened an online consultation with engagement activities over the summer and autumn to reach as many residents as possible.

A plan would be submitted to the government over the winter so funding for projects could be released from spring 2026, the board said.

The government announced a total of £1.5bn in funding earlier this year to "restore pride in Britain's neighbourhoods".

The money is focused on three priorities, which include building "thriving places", strengthening communities. and making decisions based on residents' views.

The board said insights from residents would be "crucial".

Chair Ellen Thinnesen said it would use feedback and existing data to identify "priority actions and areas for investment".

"We want residents to tell us what they'd like their future Washington to be like, what's important to them in life, what ideas they have for improving Washington, and for creating new opportunities for them and their family," she said.

Face-to-face engagement with young people across schools and academies would begin after the holidays, the board added.

The board is made up of representatives from the police and crime commissioner's office, housing company Gentoo, the Integrated Care Board, Sunderland Youth Consortium, Washington Area VCS Network, Sunderland College, University of Sunderland, businesses and the council.