Applications are now open for the chair of the new Blacon Neighbourhood Board, which will oversee the delivery of a £20 million investment into the area over the next decade.

Pride in Place is a UK-wide programme investing up to £20m in Blacon over the next ten years.

The area was selected as one of more than 330 communities across the country to pioneer a new approach that puts local people in charge of deciding how public money is spent in their neighbourhoods.

A new Neighbourhood Board is now being established to lead the programme locally. The board will oversee further community engagement and help develop a regeneration plan setting out priorities for the funding.

Made up of local residents and representatives, the board will aim to ensure decision-making remains rooted in the community.

Since the funding announcement, residents have already begun shaping the programme through community surveys, school engagement sessions and a public event where people discussed priorities for investment.

The programme aims to build stronger communities, create thriving neighbourhoods and give local people more power over decisions affecting their area.

Applications are now open for both the role of chair and for residents interested in joining the Neighbourhood Board.

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The chair will act as a champion for the area, leading community engagement and ensuring local people remain at the heart of decision-making.

Samantha Dixon MP said: "The biggest takeaway from the Pride in Blacon survey was clear: local people see the community itself as one of Blacon's greatest assets.

"Now we need the community to lead the next phase of the process by forming the Neighbourhood Board and shaping how this funding is spent.

"Local people know their community best. This funding is for the local community and should be shaped and driven by the local community, which is why it is so important that residents step forward and get involved."

Applications for chair are open to residents or people with strong connections to the Blacon area. Applicants are asked to submit a CV and a supporting statement of up to 500 words.

More information about how to apply can be found on Samantha Dixon's website.The closing date for applications is Wednesday 27 May 2026.

The Blacon Neighbourhood Board is expected to be finalised by July, with a regeneration plan due to be submitted in the autumn ahead of delivery beginning in spring 2027.