A new People’s Panel is being launched to guide investment and shape the future of a town.
Eastbourne will form the panel to help determine how up to £20 million of government funding will be spent in the area over the next 10 years.
A new People’s Panel will bring together residents to ensure a broad range of voices are heard in shaping future decisions.
Richard Garland, chair of the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Board, said: "This is about fairness and representation.
"If you receive a letter, it is because you have been randomly selected.
"We are not asking for experts or volunteers – we are asking for a cross-section of Eastbourne to come together and help shape the town’s future."
Around 7,500 households have been randomly chosen using the Royal Mail address database and will receive an invitation letter in the coming days.
The selection follows a democratic process known as sortition, a civic lottery system that ensures everyday residents – not just those who put themselves forward – are included in public decision-making.
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All residents aged 18 and over from the selected households will be able to register their interest in taking part.
A further independent lottery, managed by the Sortition Foundation, will then select 25 individuals to form the final panel.
The panel will be designed to reflect the diversity of Eastbourne’s population, considering age, backgrounds, disability, health conditions and other access needs.
Residents who receive an invitation letter can register by Sunday, July 19 via sortition.uk/eastbourne, by calling 0800 009 6486, or by scanning the QR code included in their letter.
The panel will meet for four sessions, where they will learn about key issues and work together to recommend priorities for long-term investment.
Their recommendations will be presented to the Eastbourne Neighbourhood Board to help guide where the funding should be focused.
The process will be designed and facilitated by New Citizen Project, with the Sortition Foundation managing the random selection.
New Citizen Project, which specialises in participation strategy and design, has previously delivered similar projects for the RSPCA, IPSA and the People’s Plan for Nature, a joint scheme from the RSPB, National Trust and WWF.
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