Local residents and community leaders have been appointed to the two Pride in Place neighbourhoods that will shape the future of Heartsease and Pilling Park and West Earlham & Bowthorpe.
These appointments mark the next stage of the Government-funded Pride in Place programme, which will invest up to £20 million in each neighbourhood over the next ten years. Through their respective Board and Committee structures they will play the key role in developing long-term neighbourhood plans, creating the conditions for residents to identify local priorities to ensure the investment reflects what matters most to local communities.
Following an open recruitment process, members have been selected from a wide range of backgrounds including community development, housing, health, education, communications, youth services, business and the voluntary sector. Together, they bring local knowledge, experience and strong connections to their communities.
Councillor Knight, cabinet member for healthier neighbourhoods, said:
"This is an exciting milestone for both neighbourhoods. The new Neighbourhood committee members bring a wealth of experience, passion and local knowledge, and I am over the moon to welcome them to the programme.
"The boards will ensure that this once-in-a-generation investment delivers for the local community, through decisions rooted in and by the local community."
Michelle Sorrell, Chair of the Heartsease and Pilling Park Neighbourhood Board, said:
"I am delighted to welcome our new board members, who are deeply committed to this project due to their ties to the area. Together, we have a genuine opportunity to work with and listen to residents, to focus on local priorities and create a shared community vision for the future of the area.”
Rebecca White, Chair of the West Earlham and Bowthorpe Neighbourhood Committee, said:
"This programme has the potential to change the role of people in our community to being citizens in charge of our own destiny rather than consumers of top-down decision-making. I am excited to work alongside my fellow committee members and residents to create change by trusting people in communities to know best what they need."
For more information please visit:
The Heartsease & Pilling Park Neighbourhood Board for the full list and profiles of the new board members.
The West Earlham and Bowthorpe Neighbourhood Committee for the full list and profiles of the new committee members.
Alice Macdonald, Member of Parliament for Norwich North, said:
“I welcome the appointment of the new Heartsease and Pilling Park Board. I’m delighted to have helped secure this Government investment in the community and it’s fantastic to see local people at the heart of the programme, making decisions about what their area needs and how this investment should be used. I look forward to working with the board to deliver this great opportunity.”
Clive Lewis, Member of Parliament for Norwich South, said:
“It is great to see the new West Earlham and Bowthorpe Board up and running. Securing this government funding for our area was a major priority, and putting local residents in charge of where it goes makes total sense. When neighbours and local organisations have a direct say, the money gets used for what matters most day to day. I look forward to working alongside the board as work gets started.”
Work is now focusing on developing neighbourhood plans and gathering feedback from local people on the issues and opportunities that matter most to them. Residents will have opportunities to share their views and help shape how investment is prioritised over the coming months.
