Applications are now open for places on the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Boards in Luton, Twydall and Strood West.
Medway Council is looking for local people to join three new Neighbourhood Boards that will decide how £60million of government funding is spent in their areas over the next ten years.
Luton in Chatham, Twydall in Gillingham and Strood West have each been awarded up to £20million through the government’s Pride in Place programme, funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Each area will have its own Neighbourhood Board of around eight to 10 local people. The boards will be chaired by independent Board Leaders and supported by local councillors and Members of Parliament.
You do not need any professional background in local government or regeneration to apply. What matters is a genuine connection to the area, an understanding of the community and the capacity to commit time to the role. Boards will be recruited to reflect the diversity of the people living in each neighbourhood, including age, gender, ethnicity, faith, disability and income.
The boards will help to build stronger communities by strengthening social cohesion and pride in neighbourhoods, create thriving places by investing in high streets, shared spaces and community assets, and empower local people by devolving decision making to residents.
Shape the future of your neighbourhood
Councillor Harinder Mahil, Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment, said: “This an exciting time to be living in Medway and a fantastic opportunity for you to get involved in deciding how this funding will be spent on behalf of the local community. Your professional background does not matter – all you need to have is a passion for where you live and the time to commit. If you are interested in helping to shape the future of your neighbourhood – make sure you apply today.”
Tris Osborne MP, Member of Parliament for Chatham and Aylesford, said of the Luton board: “There’s already a huge amount to celebrate in Luton. The progress made over recent years hasn’t happened by accident. It’s happened because local people have rolled up their sleeves, got involved and worked hard to make their community stronger.
“We’re now looking for a handful of people to help lead the next chapter. If you think you could be one of the eight to 10 local people helping to steer the programme, I’d encourage you to apply. We’re looking for people with experience, ideas and a genuine connection to Luton, who can commit time and have the capacity to play an active role in shaping the area’s future. The best days for Luton are still ahead of us, and this is a chance to help shape what comes next.”
Become a champion for change
Naushabah Khan MP, Member of Parliament for Gillingham and Rainham, said of the Twydall board: “Since being elected, I have always championed the voices of those at the heart of our community to be the ones who champion change. Being on the board responsible for delivering the £20million I have secured from the government for our Pride in Place programme puts the power in the hands of those who are most passionate about seeing improvements in our area. If you have a keen interest in improving our area, I encourage you to apply today.”
Lauren Edwards MP, Member of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, said of the Strood West board: “Earlier this year I was able to announce £20million of Pride in Place funding for Strood over the next decade, with the decisions about how it is spent made by local people. This is the point where that starts to become real. We are now looking for local people who live and work in Strood West to join the Neighbourhood Board.
“You do not need a background in regeneration or local government. What matters is that you know this community, you care about its future, and you are willing to give up some time to help shape where the money goes.
“Hundreds of residents have already told me through my survey what they want to see change in Strood. This is the chance to help make these changes happen. I would encourage anyone who has ever looked at something in Strood West and thought it could be better to put themselves forward and help bring about that change.”
How to apply
Applications close at midnight on Friday, 11 September.
To apply you must be 18-years-old or over, live or work in the neighbourhood area you are applying to, and be available to attend board meetings.
You can apply on the Medway Council website today.
If you have any queries, email: PrideInPlace@Medway.gov.uk.