PEOPLE who want to help shape how millions of pounds from the Government’s Pride in Place Programme is spent in their area are being asked to become part of local neighbourhood boards.
The Government has selected three parts of Leicester, covering Braunstone Park West, Thurnby Lodge & Netherhall and Eyres Monsell, to receive £20 million in investment over the next ten years.
Led by an independent chair, the Pride in Place neighbourhood boards will help to develop long-term plans for improvements in their area, based on the views and experiences of people who live and work there.
The boards will be made up of local residents, representatives of local businesses and organisations, the local MP and at least one ward councillor.
Andrew Shilliam, director of corporate services at the council, said: “Having a good mix of local representatives will be essential to making these boards effective and able to gather the different views of the local community.
“There will also be opportunities for everyone to get involved and help shape local priorities, through a range of activities that will be announced over the summer.”
Independent chairs have recently been appointed to lead each board and are now inviting people living and working in the three Pride in Place areas to submit an expression of interest to join the board. Anyone interested can find out more here
The closing date for expressions of interest is Wednesday 29 July.
The council worked with local MPs to recruit the independent chairs to lead the neighbourhood boards.
In Thurnby Lodge & Netherhall, Mohammed Lockhat and Derry Hand have been appointed as co-chairs. Mohammed is co-founder of the Peace Centre, based in Thurncourt, and Derry currently serves as chairman of Leicester Navy Cadets, based at Thurnby Lodge Community Centre.
In Braunstone Park West, Dave Bennett MBE has been appointed as chair, and Daisy Richards as vice-chair. Dave is headteacher at The Winstanley School, as well as a member of One Church and a trustee for Leicester’s Open Hands charity.
Daisy works as a communications and engagement manager at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, and also supports local youth organisations and charities.
For the Eyres Monsell Pride in Place Programme, the new chair is Robert Martin, who is chief executive of Menphys, a local charity supporting disabled children and their families. Vice chair is Dan James, a former teacher at Rolleston Primary School and currently pastor of Eyres Monsell Community Church.
The Government announced in September 2025 that Leicester would receive funding from its Pride in Place Programme. The city council was not involved in the selection of areas, but has been asked to act as accountable body on the government’s behalf, which means it will provide the governance, financial oversight and administrative support needed to help deliver the programme. More information on the programme is available on gov.uk and at leicester.gov.uk/pride-in-place