Pride in Place: Get involved

The Pride in Place funding aims to bring together local communities to make decisions and changes to their areas.

Members of the local community can get involved by becoming a member of the Neighbourhood Board. There will also be other less formal ways for local people to get involved and make their voice heard on the Pride in Place programme.   

The latest information on how you can get involved in the Pride in Place Programme can be found below:

• Neighbourhood Board
• Chair of the Neighbourhood Board

Neighbourhood Board

What is the Neighbourhood Board? 

The Neighbourhood Board (the Board) will oversee how the £20m is to be invested and is the main decision-making forum. 

The Board is made up of 16 people who live in, or have an interest in Greater Leys.  Recruitment for the Neighbourhood Board was carried out in June, and the following people have been selected to join: 

1. Rhys Smith 

2. Hassan Sabrie 

3. Kirk Wheeler  

4. Susan Fitzsimons 

5. Sasha East 

6. Carol Richards 

7. Marwa Hazzouri 

8. Roy Leach 

9. Hannah Thomas 

10. Dolcie Obhiozele 

11. Beverley Harry 

12. Ewa Gluza 

13. Paula Fontaine (Vice Chair) 

14. Dan Wadsworth (Independent Chair) 

15. Councillor Linda Smith (Local Councillor) 

16. Anneliese Dodds, MP (Local MP) 

The Board will be responsible for producing a 10-year vision which will be called the Pride in Place Plan. Working with local people, the local authority, and local MP, the Plan will outline the community’s vision for changes in Greater Leys over the next decade. It will be co-produced by residents in the neighbourhood through community engagement, and will reflect local people’s priorities.  

Meet the Neighbourhood Board

To support the Neighbourhood Board, a series of engagement events will be taking place over the coming months. 

A Meet the Board event will be taking place on Thursday 16 July at The Clockhouse at Leys CDI, from 6.30-8.30pm. This will be an opportunity for local people to meet the Neighbourhood Board and to share their views on the project. 

Chair of the Neighbourhood Board

Recruitment for the role of the Neighbourhood Board Chair took place from Tuesday 10 March until Monday 23 March 2026. 

The recruitment included a comprehensive engagement programme, encouraging applications from across the whole community, in accordance with MHCLG guidance.  

Oxford City Council provided oversight of the process to ensure independence. Additionally, a community advisory panel was created with representatives from  community groups, young people and members of the Tenant Involvement Panel to help inform the recruitment process and Chair selection.  

Dan Wadsworth was named as the Independent Chair of the new Neighbourhood Board in May 2026.