Pride in Place is a long‑term Government programme designed to give communities across the UK greater control over how their neighbourhoods grow and improve.
Each area will receive up to £20 million in funding over the next 10 years to support locally shaped regeneration, improvements to community facilities, and initiatives that strengthen pride, belonging, and opportunity. Central to the programme is its community‑led approach, ensuring that investment is guided by the people who know their area best and to give local people a direct say in their community's future.
Pride in Place will build on what is already here: the people, networks, community groups and everyday places that hold together and contribute to neighbourhood life. This will help support residents to turn community level priorities into a clear plan with practical actions.
Phase one
In 2024, Leigh was awarded Pride of Place funding and the Leigh Neighbourhood Board, which is independently chaired and supported by Wigan Council, was started. Recently, the board have agreed an outline plan following public consultation involving more than 1,500 local residents.
Early priorities for phase one include strengthening the town centre economy and tackling crime and anti‑social behaviour, alongside improvements to public spaces and expansion of cultural and events activities. The board will continue to work with residents as projects progress, making sure that the investment is shaped by local voices and community priorities.
Phase two
In late 2025, the borough was chosen to receive Pride in Place funding for two more neighbourhoods: Marsh Green and Laithwaite, and Platt Bridge and Spring View.
Neighbourhood boards
Pride in Place neighbourhood boards bring local people together to decide how funding should be used to improve their area. They work with residents to develop a 10-year vision and an initial 4-year investment plan that focuses on what matters most to the community.
The board includes a mix of residents, community groups, local businesses, voluntary organisations and elected representatives. Its job is to make sure everyone has a voice, encourage local involvement and guide decisions in an open and inclusive way, with clear information about what is being decided and why.
The board is expected to meet at least quarterly and to operate transparently. Boards must include the local MP, at least one ward councillor and as a minimum 51% of its members should live or work in the Pride in Place neighbourhood, with a minimum board size of eight members.
As well as the board, there will be other ways to get involved and shape decisions in your neighbourhood under the Pride in Place programme. Please let us know if you are interested in getting involved by completing our online contact form (external link).
Independent chair of neighbourhood boards
We are looking to recruit an independent chair for our neighbourhood boards. This will be a voluntary position, and will have the wider support of Wigan Council Leadership and programme manager support, Local MP's Offices and wider community partners. The role is flexible and typically requires around 10 to 12 hours per month with attendance at the neighbourhood board seen as an essential part of the role.
The role involves:
- 'Championing the local area’ and upholding the community-led spirit at the heart of the programme
- Helping recruit members and leading a new neighbourhood board to oversee delivery of this exciting programme in the community
- Lateral and creative thinking to address challenges and to actively draw in a wide range of community voices
- Ensuring that decisions reflect the priorities, vision and aspirations of people living and working in the area.
We feel it is important that the chair should be someone who is ‘from’, living or working in the area, holds a prominent role in the community, or has a passion for the place
While experience in governance or community leadership is desirable, enthusiasm, integrity and a strong connection to the area are essential.
Further information about the role can be found on the MHLCG Neighbourhood Board Independent Chair Role Profile.
Expression of interest
If you think that the role of independent chair might right be for you, please submit your expression of interest online (external link) by Friday 24th April 2026.
After you have submitted your application, we may invite you to take part in a conversation with Wigan Council leads for the Pride in Place programme, local MPs or councillors, and a representative from the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector, to help us explore whether you are the right fit for the role.
For more information about the Pride in Place programme visit:
Additional information
The role may require a disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
Along with all board members, the chair will be required to declare and maintain a register of interest statement (including political affiliations) and agree to adhere to governance standards.
Applicants may be required to provide two relevant references for suitability to the role.
Confidentiality
The information you supply in your expression of interest form will only be used to help with the shortlisting and selection process for the Pride in Place programme.
By completing and submitting an expression of interest form, you consent to Wigan Council processing such personal data as may be necessary for the administration of the selection processes or meeting our obligations with the grant funding associated with the Pride in Place programme.
The information you supply will not be used in any other way and will be processed in accordance with your rights under the Data Protection Act 2018.