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
Apply to join the 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 will be made up of 9 people who live in, or have an interest in Greater Leys including residents, community and voluntary organisations, and people from local services. The Board will also include one local councillor, the local MP, and the Chair.
The Board will be managed by the Chair and will be responsible for making sure the community is closely involved in deciding priorities. The Board will be responsible for producing a 10-year vision which will be called the Pride in Place Plan. This Plan will need to be agreed with the Government, for the funding to be received.
The Board will give local people real influence as they will:
- Make decisions on how funds are used.
- Work with residents to agree local priorities.
- Act as stewards of the long-term vision for the neighbourhood.
The Role of Board Members
This is a voluntary role. What Board members will do:
- Make a Plan with the wider community and set out how funds will be invested over the next 10 years.
- Work with the local MP and Council to show strong local engagement.
- Help set local priorities based on what residents say matters most.
- Oversee investment decisions.
- Monitor progress, outcomes and impact.
- Champion transparency, fairness and inclusion.
- Support collaboration between communities, partners and services.
Who can apply?
It is important that the Board is made up of people from the local community. Applications will be welcomed from anyone who:
- Lives or works in Greater Leys or has strong connections to it. A map of the area covered is outlined below.
- Cares about the future of Greater Leys.
- Is willing to listen, work with others and contribute.
- Wants to support long-term, community-led change in Greater Leys.
- Can respect differing views and work collaboratively to reach agreement.
The Board will need to have people with a wide range of skills for example in community engagement, digital skills, media, finance, legal, management, delivery and vision. However, you do not need previous Board experience. Support and training will be provided and people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Time commitment
Time commitments and meeting schedules will be agreed by the Board once it is established but below are some suggestions of what may be required. Applicants will ideally be prepared to make a long-term commitment to the Board.
- Start in June 2026.
- Meet once a month.
- Have time for any preparation
- Be involved with small task groups.
- Attend community engagement opportunities where possible.
Induction, support and training will be provided as well as some expenses.
Drop in sessions
The Chair will be holding drop-in sessions for local people to learn more about the Neighbourhood Board and the application process. This will also be an opportunity to meet the Chair of the Neighbourhood Board:
- Wednesday 3 June at BLAP, 5.45-7.45pm
- Friday 5 June at Blackbird Leys Bowls Club, 12-2pm
- Saturday 6 June at Leys Pool & Leisure Centre, 1-3pm
The Pride in Place Timetable
- Spring 2026 Local community engagement and the establishment of Neighbourhood Boards.
- April 2026: First programme delivery funding made to Oxford City Council, with additional funding to be provided later, on approval of the Pride in Place Plan.
- July 2026: Neighbourhood Boards to confirm the Chair and membership of the Neighbourhood Board and any proposals to alter the ‘default’ area boundary of which residents are covered by the programme, to MHCLG by 17 July 2026.
- Autumn 2026: MHCLG to review membership and boundary proposals and confirm to places whether acceptable.
- November 2026: Neighbourhood Boards submit Pride in Place Plans to MHCLG for assessment and approval by 28 November 2026. Approval will release future funding probably in early 2027.
How do I apply?
The application form is available here.
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.
