A new Government pilot scheme to give residents more say in community decisions has been launched in Norbiton.

Volunteers for One Norbiton attended a meeting at Piper Hall, in Piper Road, on Tuesday for the official launch of the new organisation.

It is one of 10 pilots set up across the UK under the Coalition Government’s localism agenda and will see sub-groups of Norbiton residents meet every month to discuss and resolve ward issues.

But in order for the pilot to succeed, One Norbiton members are calling for more volunteers of all ages to get involved.

One Norbiton chairman Dr Mike D’Souza said: “I was most happy with the meeting. It was wonderful to see so many new volunteers come along.

“Really it would be nice to see younger people come and volunteer.

“There was an important remark made at the meeting when someone said this was the sort of thing where all generations can participate and make their neighbourhood better.”

This week’s meeting was the final piece in a jigsaw that started almost two years ago, when Kingston Council and NHS Kingston accepted the Government's challenge to start a localism pilot in Norbiton.

One Norbiton secretary Jill Preston said: “It has been a long time coming, but it has been worth the wait.

“It means we have got a solid foundation. We are not just a community group meeting once a month anymore. Now we can say 'This is us. We’re legitimate'.”

One in three children in Norbiton is living below the official poverty line.

One of the first issues the new company will deal with is how to spend a £75,000 Government windfall to revamp the Cambridge estates.

The money has been ringfenced for environmental enhancements, with £25,000 pledged to Cambridge Gardens, and £50,000 earmarked for Cambridge Road.

Miss Preston said: “We desperately want people to come forward with their ideas. Some of us are too close to all of it. There might be someone on the estate with a brilliant idea.”

For more information on becoming a volunteer, call Jill Preston on 020 8547 6910, email admin@onenorbiton.org.uk or visit onenorbiton.org.