Following an interview and selection process, Birchwood Pride in Place’s Neighbourhood Board has now been fully appointed.
The Board is made up of Gregory Hughes, who will serve as Chair, alongside Gary Smith and Martin Hickerton, who will act as Co-Deputy Chairs. They are working in partnership with City of Lincoln Council as accountable body and Hamish Falconer as the MP to deliver the funding programme over the next 10 years.
The Board brings together people with strong personal connections to Birchwood, including local residents, business owners, and community representatives.
In March, it was announced that Birchwood had been selected to receive £20 million through the Government’s Pride in Place programme, which aims to support communities to improve the places where they live and create new opportunities for local people.
Its board members will play a key role in shaping how the £20 million investment is used over the next decade, helping to ensure funding reflects the priorities and aspirations of people who live and work in the neighbourhood.
The investment will help deliver improvements that matter most to Birchwood residents, supporting stronger communities, better neighbourhood spaces and opportunities for people living and working in the area.
Birchwood has been chosen as Lincoln’s focus for the Pride in Place programme, recognising the strength of its existing community as well as the opportunities presented by wider growth in the area, including the nearby Charterholme development.
City of Lincoln Council is the accountable body for the Pride in Place funding and is supporting the Neighbourhood Board with financial procedures, procurement, audit and governance requirements and will work in partnership with the MP’s office to facilitate the grant and support the board delivery.
The programme is intended to be community-led, in line with Government guidance. The Board will therefore play a central role in deciding how the funding should be used, with decisions shaped by the priorities of Birchwood residents.
Cllr Naomi Tweddle, Leader of City of Lincoln Council, said: “The £20 million investment in Birchwood represents a fantastic opportunity to make a lasting difference to the area and, importantly, it ensures the views of local people are central to how the money will be spent in order to develop their community over the next ten years.