By Katherine Turner
The Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board in ‘Farnley East’ is one of four Leeds neighbourhoods set to benefit from Government funding through the Pride in Place Programme.
Over the next ten years the community board will oversee a £20 million budget to support the ‘Farnley East’ area.
The make-up of the new Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board has now been confirmed, bringing together residents, community leaders, schools, faith organisations, youth voices, and local partners to help shape the future of the area.
The Board will be chaired by Jo Gittins and has been carefully formed to reflect the breadth and diversity of the community.
Speaking about the appointments, Jo Gittins said: “I’m really excited to announce the members of the Neighbourhood Board.
“There has been a lot of interest and we have a really high calibre of members who are ready to serve the local community and build something that will benefit the area for generations.”
The Board members announced this week are:
- • Jo Gittins – Independent Chair
- Mark Sewards – MP
- Ward Councillor (TBC)
- Neil Shackleton – Greggs Operational Trainer and Charity Coordinator
- Rev’d Chris Balding – St John’s Church
- Peter Allison – Farnley Community Centre & Farnley Fishpond
- Sharon Knott – Resident
- Peter Ward – Resident
- Ros Amato – Resident
- Gaz Gilbert – Farnley Falcons
- Stephen Fowkes – Dixons Unity Academy
- Nikki Howcroft – Girl Guiding & Cobden Primary School
- Jenny Meehan – Resident
- Martin Belica – Resident
- Heather Nicholson – Resident
- Two young people from the Youth Shadow Board
Board member the Reverend Chris Balding told WLD how important the funding is: “I’m really looking forward to working with the rest of the board to listen, discern, and determine how best to use this funding to create a lasting legacy for the area so that all can flourish.
“Wortley and Farnley is full of brilliant people, a fantastic community spirit, and has huge potential. This is an exciting opportunity to build on the good that is already happening and invest in the future of our neighbourhoods.”
When selecting members of the Board, consideration was given to ensuring representation from across the whole catchment area, avoiding concentration from any one neighbourhood and seeking the widest possible reach into the community.
The process also considered the range of skills, experience, and community connections needed to support the programme, alongside reflecting the diversity of the local area across gender, age and race.
Supporting the work of the Board will be a new Youth Shadow Board, designed to ensure young people are actively involved in shaping decisions from the very beginning. The group is expected to include around 15 young people aged 12–17, with two representatives sitting directly on the Neighbourhood Board.
Neil Shackleton, known locally as the ‘muffin man’ due to the regular support he gives to schools and charities in the area through his work at Greggs, said: “I am honoured to be appointed to the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board, overseeing the £20 million for our area.
“This 10-year investment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put decision-making power back into the hands of local people like me. I look forward to working with the community to direct these resources toward the projects that matter most and ensuring our neighbourhood is a place where everyone feels a true sense of pride and belonging.”
Any questions or comments regarding Farnley Pride in Place can be emailed to PrideinPlace.Farnley@Leeds.gov.uk.
Further updates on the programme and opportunities for residents to get involved will be announced in the coming weeks.
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