The two areas of Weston and Redbridge & Millbrook West are both set to benefit from £20 million over 10 years as part of the government’s Pride in Place programme.
Concerns have been raised that the current geographical coverage for the investment does not match up with residents’ expectations.
This is due to the government using middle layer super output areas, which are boundaries used for statistical purposes.
Conservative councillor Steven Galton said at present only one polling district in the Millbrook ward is part of the programme boundary.
At full council on Wednesday, November 26, he called on the Labour administration to commit to pressing the case for including the areas that residents would consider to be Millbrook.
Cabinet member for finance and resources Cllr Simon Letts said it was a governance issue that fell under the responsibility of the neighbourhood board, which is yet to be set up.
Cllr Letts said the council was waiting for civil servants to provide details on how the governance would work, including who should be on the board and how the chair is recruited.
The former council leader said once that information was available, lobbying and representations could be made, with ward councillors and MPs part of the process.
He told Cllr Galton the situation on the other side of the city was worse in many ways.
Cllr Letts, who represents the Peartree ward, said: “The Weston area actually cuts through the middle of a school, so one half of the school can apply for money but the other half can’t as it sits at the moment.
“Now frankly this is an absolute nonsense as we know and we will obviously be making sensible suggestions about the geography that will be covered, bearing in mind that any capital spend, and remember 70 per cent of this currently will be capital, the chances are if we are investing in facilities those facilities, of course whilst geographically in an area, will have a wider reach.
“I am aware of the issue and I will let you know as soon as we get the governance arrangements through from civil servants.”