When I shared the news in March that Luton had secured £20 million through the Government’s Pride in Place programme, I said this was just the beginning. Today, we’re taking the next important step.
Applications are now open for an independent Chair to lead Luton in Chatham’s Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board, a unique opportunity for someone with a genuine passion for our community to help shape its future over the next decade.
This isn’t about decisions being made behind closed doors. Pride in Place is built on a simple principle: local people know their community best. The Neighbourhood Board will bring together residents, businesses, community organisations, the council and me as your MP to decide how this £20 million investment should be spent to deliver the greatest possible benefit for Luton.
As I have said before, Luton has faced significant challenges for many years, but it is also a community with enormous strengths. We’ve already seen through initiatives such as the Big Local what can be achieved when residents are trusted to lead change. Pride in Place gives us the opportunity to build on that success and deliver lasting improvements that reflect the priorities of local people.
The successful Chair will lead community engagement, help recruit a resident-led Neighbourhood Board, oversee the development of Luton’s Pride in Place Plan, and champion the area’s long-term regeneration. The role is independent and designed to ensure the community remains at the heart of every decision.
If you live in Luton, care deeply about its future and have the leadership skills to bring people together, I would strongly encourage you to apply. This is a chance to make a lasting difference to our neighbourhood for generations to come.
The application deadline for the Luton Board Chair is Wednesday 15 July.
You can find full details about the role and how to apply on Medway Council’s Pride in Place webpage: Medway Pride in Place.
Together, we have an opportunity to ensure this once-in-a-generation investment delivers the improvements that matter most to the people of Luton. I look forward to working alongside the successful Chair and local residents as we begin this exciting new chapter.
