Sutton's literary scene may see the return of the Sutton Literary Festival for a second year, with funding being considered at the North Cheam, Stonecot and Worcester Park Local Committee meeting on Tuesday 11 November 2025. The amount of funding available each year depends on how much Community Infrastructure Levy the council has collected from developments in each area.

The festival is one of several events and projects bidding for funding from the Neighbourhood Fund. The Neighbourhood Fund can be used for both physical improvements and community projects if they meet programme aims. Other projects under consideration include:

  • Cuddington Rec Multi-use Play Unit: Top-up funding of £36,000 for the project to replace the existing dilapidated MPU and install safety surfacing.
  • Revitalising Worcester Park Library's Community Pocket Garden: £5,000 for improving soil quality, replacing deteriorating edging, planting diverse perennial plants, installing seating and organising community events.
  • Quickdraw History Comics: £5,200 for a series of British history-themed comic-style drawing workshops at Whitehall Historic House, based on its collection of historic objects.
  • Whitehall Welcomes: An Accessible & Engaging Future: £85,236 for Sutton Council and Nickel Support developing Whitehall House to serve as a hub for community wellbeing and special educational needs opportunities.
  • A community film production to tell stories about the ecology of the borough.
  • A music festival combining Western and South East Asian classical cultures.
  • A summer festival of reading and culture for school children.

A public consultation to decide which projects should receive funding was open until 16 November. Residents could share their views on the council's website.

The Neighbourhood Fund is not the only source of funding available to community groups. The Sutton Community Fund, administered by Community Action Sutton (CAS) and funded by Sutton Council, offers grants up to £5,000 for eligible groups. Only Charity, Faith and Community groups with an income of less than £100,000 can apply. The current round of funding closed on 10 November 2025.

Local Committee Funding also provides neighbourhood grants, where groups can apply for up to £1,400 for community events and projects.