We’ll soon be inviting local people to apply to become Chairs and members of the new Neighbourhood Boards.
Each Pride in Place area will have an independent Chair and around 10 Board members who will help shape the future of their neighbourhood. Below is guidance from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on what the Chair role involves.
Purpose of the role:
To deliver the Pride in Place Programme, Neighbourhood Boards are being set up in every funded neighbourhood across the country.
Each Board will be led by an independent Chair – someone who can bring communities together to share their ideas in an open and collaborative way. The Chair’s primary job is to be a champion for their place and to embody the community-led spirit of the programme. The Chair should have a deep connection to their area and can be new to this kind of work.
What matters most is a commitment to seeing change through and improving the lives of those in their community.
The independent Chair is best when they act as a proactive, trustworthy convenor who:
Is deeply connected to their community and fiercely committed to making it an even better place to live.
Can bring together different voices from across their community, to shape a collective vision for the future of their place.
Has local credibility and will be respected as a leader – even if this is their first leadership role.
Ensures that all voices are heard and that Board discussions are collaborative.
Is adept at finding consensus, navigating conflict calmly and impartially, never allowing ego to get in the way of progress.
Brings together community groups and prioritises community engagement as a central pillar of the programme.
Is clear about their own knowledge gaps and considers how the makeup of the Board complements this.
Thinks laterally and creatively about solutions to problems and ways to draw in community voices.
Acts as a public face and represents the Board externally, and brings figures of different political stripes together.
The Chair should not be:
A gatekeeper or clique-builder; the Board should have a range of voices, including ones that differ from the Chair’s.
Seeking to push personal agendas – this is about what the community wants.
The only decision-maker or expert in the room.
The day-to-day delivery lead: this is a strategic post.
Skills and attributes of a good Chair:
Fair and balanced, ensuring that all voices are heard.
Good at facilitating conversations, particularly when differences of opinion emerge.
Open to learning, feedback and development, and an interest in mentoring and upskilling others.
Welcoming, open and listens deeply to others.
Calm under pressure and manages conflict well.
Has time to prioritise the role.
The role of Board Members is voluntary with just expenses covered similar to that of a school governor or charity trustee. In relation to the Chairs, to ensure that Neighbourhood Boards have the right leadership, and to open the position up to candidates who might otherwise be unable to put themselves forward, a basic payment of £5,000 per year will be provided from the programme’s dedicated capacity funding to remunerate Chair’s time.
People wishing to put themselves forward as Chairs or Board members should prepare a CV and statement (up to 1,000 words) setting out their involvement with the relevant area and why they would make a good Chair or Board member. For the Chair role you should address how the criteria above is met and for the Board members please see the Board Member Recruitment Pack.
The closing date for application for the two Chair roles is 5pm on 15th June 2026 [please click on link below to submit your application].
The closing date for Board Members is 5pm 19th June 2026 [please click on link below to submit your application].
We’ll soon be inviting local people to apply to become Chairs and members of the new Neighbourhood Boards.
Each Pride in Place area will have an independent Chair and around 10 Board members who will help shape the future of their neighbourhood. Below is guidance from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on what the Chair role involves.
Purpose of the role:
To deliver the Pride in Place Programme, Neighbourhood Boards are being set up in every funded neighbourhood across the country.
Each Board will be led by an independent Chair – someone who can bring communities together to share their ideas in an open and collaborative way. The Chair’s primary job is to be a champion for their place and to embody the community-led spirit of the programme. The Chair should have a deep connection to their area and can be new to this kind of work.
What matters most is a commitment to seeing change through and improving the lives of those in their community.
The independent Chair is best when they act as a proactive, trustworthy convenor who:
Is deeply connected to their community and fiercely committed to making it an even better place to live.
Can bring together different voices from across their community, to shape a collective vision for the future of their place.
Has local credibility and will be respected as a leader – even if this is their first leadership role.
Ensures that all voices are heard and that Board discussions are collaborative.
Is adept at finding consensus, navigating conflict calmly and impartially, never allowing ego to get in the way of progress.
Brings together community groups and prioritises community engagement as a central pillar of the programme.
Is clear about their own knowledge gaps and considers how the makeup of the Board complements this.
Thinks laterally and creatively about solutions to problems and ways to draw in community voices.
Acts as a public face and represents the Board externally, and brings figures of different political stripes together.
The Chair should not be:
A gatekeeper or clique-builder; the Board should have a range of voices, including ones that differ from the Chair’s.
Seeking to push personal agendas – this is about what the community wants.
The only decision-maker or expert in the room.
The day-to-day delivery lead: this is a strategic post.
Skills and attributes of a good Chair:
Fair and balanced, ensuring that all voices are heard.
Good at facilitating conversations, particularly when differences of opinion emerge.
Open to learning, feedback and development, and an interest in mentoring and upskilling others.
Welcoming, open and listens deeply to others.
Calm under pressure and manages conflict well.
Has time to prioritise the role.
The role of Board Members is voluntary with just expenses covered similar to that of a school governor or charity trustee. In relation to the Chairs, to ensure that Neighbourhood Boards have the right leadership, and to open the position up to candidates who might otherwise be unable to put themselves forward, a basic payment of £5,000 per year will be provided from the programme’s dedicated capacity funding to remunerate Chair’s time.
People wishing to put themselves forward as Chairs or Board members should prepare a CV and statement (up to 1,000 words) setting out their involvement with the relevant area and why they would make a good Chair or Board member. For the Chair role you should address how the criteria above is met and for the Board members please see the Board Member Recruitment Pack.
The closing date for application for the two Chair roles is 5pm on 15th June 2026 [please click on link below to submit your application].
The closing date for Board Members is 5pm 19th June 2026 [please click on link below to submit your application].
