A team of community champions are needed to help spend £40 million in two city neighbourhoods – and make a lasting difference to residents in the area.

Neighbourhood Boards will cover Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland, and Orton Malborne and Orton Goldhay, following the announcement last September that £40 million has been pledged to support community regeneration in Peterborough after a campaign by the city’s two MPs, Sam Carling and Andrew Pakes.

Pride in Place is a new government funding programme aimed at putting power into the hands of local people in some of the most in-need neighbourhoods across the UK, so that they can decide how to regenerate their local area. It gives communities control of £2m every year for the next 10 years, to be spent on projects that will make a real difference to the areas they live.

A key part of the programme is that it is locally led, by those who know their communities best, and it is for this reason that expressions of interest are now being sought for an independent chairperson for each of the two boards.

£40 million has been split between two neighbourhoods in Peterborough - with residents urged to come forward to ensure it is spent in the best way possible

placeholder image — £40 million has been split between two neighbourhoods in Peterborough - with residents urged to come forward to ensure it is spent in the best way possible

The chair will bring together residents, community organisations, businesses and public partners to co-create a long-term Pride in Place Plan for the area. The role is part-time and flexible, requiring around 8–10 hours per month, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

The city council said that the successful candidate will be a respected local leader with strong communication skills and a commitment to inclusive, resident-led decision-making. While experience in governance or community leadership is desirable, enthusiasm, integrity and a strong connection to the area are essential.

Councillor Shabina Qayyum, Leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “The aim of the project is to put local people at the heart of decision-making, supporting long-term regeneration and neighbourhood pride. Therefore, it makes complete sense for the Neighbourhood Boards to be chaired by those who have the knowledge, skills, passion and commitment to ensure this huge investment in our city is well spent and leads to lasting change for our communities.”

The boards will also be made up of people who live and work in the neighborhood, representatives from community groups and charities, informal resident leaders, health representatives, business owners, faith groups, youth representatives and MPs Andrew Pakes and Sam Carling.

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: “This is a transformational investment in Paston, Gunthorpe and parts of Dogsthorpe. But it isn’t just about top down decisions. Pride in Place is about trusting local people to shape the future of their own community. The independent chair will help be a voice for the programme and help recruit other local members as well as shape how we invest the funding.”

MP Sam Carling said: “This funding for Orton Malborne and Orton Goldhay has the potential to make a lasting positive impact and ensure Orton is a fantastic place to live and work. If you’re as excited as I am about the potential for what Pride in Place can do for Orton, please consider putting yourself forward as neighbourhood board chair; and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me for a chat.”

More information about the role including a job description is available to view on the council’s website, www.peterborough.gov.uk/pride-in-place

The closing date for applications is Friday 6 February.