Proposal
The Plan for Neighbourhoods (replacing the former Long-Term Plan for Towns) is a government programme which will provide Leigh with £20 million pounds of funding over the next 10 years. The aim is to give local people more power to decide what the town needs most in order to make Leigh a better place to live, work and spend time.
The Leigh Neighbourhood Board is responsible for being the voice of the local community and helping to decide how money is spent in Leigh. The Board is independently chaired and includes local leaders such as the local MP, local Councillors, police, health and education, local businesses and community representatives.
The Board will lead in developing a Regeneration Plan, including a 10-year Vision and a 4-year Investment Plan, which will guide how the £20m funding is invested in the town.
The strategic objectives of the project are:
- Thriving Places: People take immense pride in their local areas but too many of our high streets and estates have become neglected and left behind. Town centres and neighbourhoods must evolve to better reflect the needs and habits of their community, and residents should have a greater say in how they’re designed
- Stronger Communities: Resilience in some of the most disadvantaged communities has been eroded over time. Tackling this division will have a positive impact on growth
- Taking back Control: Talent is spread equally but opportunity is not. People want to be empowered and in control of their lives, to have a say over the future of their community. We will empower people to enter the workplace, workers to progress, and businesses to grow. This will in turn help kickstart local economic growth.
Status
The work of the Board was paused as the government changed the Long-Term Plan for Towns to form the new Plan for Neighbourhoods. The Board has been expanded to follow new guidance and will meet monthly from July 2025. They will build on the good work done so far to develop a Regeneration Plan for Leigh including a Vision and Investment Plan.
Consultation
During June and July 2024 consultation took place with the community and local businesses to understand the community’s priorities for investment. There was a fantastic response with over 1,200 people sharing their views. This insight will inform the proposals for how the money is spent in Leigh.
Next steps
The Board will lead on the preparation of a Regeneration Plan including a 10-year Vision and 4-year Investment Plan to submit to government by 28 November 2025. Following government approval of the plans, projects funded by the program are expected to start from April 2026.
Board Members
The membership of the Board is currently being refreshed and this information will be updated shortly.
- Alex Grundy (Interim Chair)
- Adele Adjetey - Senior Policy and Partnerships Officer (representing Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner)
- Councillor Dane Anderton - Wigan Council, Cabinet Member Police, Crime and Civil Contingencies
- Dorothy Bowker - The Bridge at Leigh, Founder and Trustee
- Alex Grundy - Café Stella, Owner
- Jo Platt - Member of Parliament (MP) for Leigh and Atherton
- Lloyd Jolley - WJ Structures Ltd, Director
- Councillor Yvonne Klieve - Wigan Council Lead Member, Town and District Centres and Night Time
- Superintendent Danny O’Neil - Greater Manchester Police
- David Proctor (Deputy Chair) - Wigan Council, Assistant Director Planning and Regeneration
- Alison Rushton - Wigan and Leigh College, Vice Principal
- Steven Tomlinson - Nemiah and Leigh Means Business, Director.
Agendas
Terms of Reference, Code of Conduct and Declarations of Interest
The Terms of Reference, Code of Conduct, Declarations of Interest are currently being refreshed
Minutes of Meetings
Boundary
Important note: The boundary indicates the area eligible for investment from Plan for Neighbourhoods (PfN), there is no guarantee that assets/services within the boundary will automatically benefit directly from PfN funding. Interventions will be determined through the Vision and Investment Plan process.