Residents with a passion for their community are being invited to apply for the new Independent Chair role for the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board in Heavitree and Whipton.
In March it was announced that Exeter would be awarded £20 million from the Government’s Pride in Place programme to strengthen neighbourhoods in the city.
The money will be spent over the next 10 years in Whipton and Heavitree.
Pride in Place is designed to put communities at the centre of decision-making, ensuring that investment represents the needs, ideas and ambitions of local people.
The Independent Chair role offers a unique opportunity to help shape the future of the area by bringing people together, listening to local voices and supporting community-led decision making.
The chair will lead the new Neighbourhood Board and help to create a shared vision for the neighbourhood.
The Council is currently working with Exeter MP Steve Race to set up the Neighbourhood Board, which brings together residents, councillors, local organisations and partners to identify priorities and guide how the funding is used.
The Independent Chair’s role involves chairing meetings, encouraging inclusive discussions and supporting positive relationships with residents, community organisations and local partners.
The voluntary position includes reasonable expenses, with a small basic payment potentially available to support the chair’s time commitment.
The appointment will initially run for two years, with the possibility of extension depending on the future of the programme and local arrangements.
Council Leader Phil Bialyk said: “Pride in Place is a fantastic programme which will make such a difference to residents in Heavitree and Whipton over the next decade.
“The Independent Chair will help to ensure the funding delivers real change in these communities, and I urge people to come forward and apply for the role.”
Chief Executive Bindu Arjoon said: “The Neighbourhood Board will allow local people to shape the future of their neighbourhood and come up with ideas on how this funding will be spent.
“The Independent Chair will be key to this process by leading the board, bringing people together and facilitating decisions being made locally by the community.”
Exeter MP Steve Race said: “This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for someone within the community of Heavitree and Whipton to take the lead on setting up and delivering the Pride in Place programme for and with residents.
“With £2 million every year over the next 10 years, there is so much we can do, from improved outdoor spaces, work to tackle antisocial behaviour, delivering new skills programmes, or more provision for young people.
“Effective engagement, collaboration, and leadership from within the whole community is at the heart of this programme. The Chair will have an important role to play in making sure every voice is heard, thinking creatively about how we reach people from all walks of life and every corner of the area, so we can be confident that the money is dedicated to the improvements that local people really want and need.
“I’ve already heard lots of interesting and innovative ideas, and I can’t wait to work with the successful candidate to seize this opportunity and deliver for Heavitree and Whipton.
Applicants for the Independent Chair should have a strong connection to Heavitree and Whipton.
They should be collaborative and committed to improving the lives of local people, able to build trust across the community, encourage a wide range of voices to be heard and manage discussions in a calm and constructive way.
The Chair will be supported by the Pride in Place Programme Lead, who will assist with administration, communications and engagement activity.
For more information about Pride in Place in Exeter visit the website - Pride in Place - Exeter City Council
For more information about the programme visit the UK Government website Pride in Place Programme prospectus
To apply for the position on Independent Chair of the Board CLICK HERE
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