Chairs appointed for all nine of Birmingham's £180m Pride in Place areas

Independent chairs have now been appointed in all nine Birmingham neighbourhoods taking part in the Government's Pride in Place programme, which the council says is the largest in the country at £180m.

Each of the nine areas can receive up to £20 million over the next decade to spend on priorities chosen by local people.

Residents in charge

The chairs lead Neighbourhood Boards made up of residents, community organisations and other local partners, including the area's MP and at least one ward councillor. The boards will agree a shared vision for their neighbourhood and decide where the money goes.

The boards are now starting to meet. Alongside long-term plans, they are identifying early "quick win" projects so residents can see results sooner.

Who the chairs are

The chairs bring a range of community experience. They include Kynton Swingle, community development manager at Fox Hollies Community Association, who was born and raised in the area; Martin Holcombe, chief executive of Birmingham Settlement, who is based in Kingstanding; Naeem Qureshi MBE, recognised for services to the Sparkbrook community; and Wendy Collymore, a retired police officer and community advocate in Hawkesley.

"At the heart of Pride in Place is local people shaping and directing the funding for their areas. But we also know trust is a big issue," said council leader Councillor Roger Harmer.

The council has funded a dedicated delivery team, including area leads who will support each board, so that none of the Pride in Place money awarded to the neighbourhoods is spent on running the programme. Lessons from the scheme will feed into the council's wider work with its 69 wards.