LEICESTER people who are passionate about their local area and want to help it thrive are being asked to take on lead roles in the Government’s Pride in Place Programme (PiPP).
The Government has selected three parts of Leicester – Braunstone West, Thurnby Lodge and Eyres Monsell – to be part of the programme, which will see £20 million invested in each area over the next ten years.
Leicester City Council has been asked to support the initiative by helping to establish a neighbourhood board in each area, each of which will be led by an independent chair.
The council wants to hear from local people who are trusted and respected in their local communities to take on the chairs’ roles, and act as a champion for their neighbourhood.
They’ll need to have the skills to recruit a diverse range of people to form each board, and to ensure their voices are heard. They’ll also need to be capable of supporting the board to develop a vision and priorities for creating positive change in their neighbourhood.
Andrew Shilliam, director of corporate services at the council said: “Previous leadership experience would be useful in these roles but is not essential. What matters most is local credibility, commitment to your community and the ability to bring together people with different views and ensure all of their voices are heard.”
The chairs would be expected to work with the city council and their local MP to approve board membership and the neighbourhood plans. The plans will determine how the £20 million allocated to each area is spent.
The role of independent chair is a voluntary one, with modest expenses payable.
More information about the role and how to submit an expression of interest for it is on the city council’s website
The Government requires that each neighbourhood board will have a majority of residents, including people who work in the area, and include at least one councillor, the local MP and a senior police representative. Members of local faith, voluntary, youth and community organisations are also expected to have a place.
The Government announced in September 2025 that Leicester would be among the first areas to 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 carry out some administration and oversight of the governance and funding.
More information on the programme is available on Gov.UK