Pride in Place

The Pride in Place Programme is a government initiative that provides long-term investment directly to neighbourhoods, enabling local people and community groups to shape and deliver projects that build stronger communities, create thriving places, and give residents a meaningful voice in their area’s future.

The Neighbourhood Board Chair will provide independent leadership for the Pride in Place Programme in Ely & Caerau, overseeing the management of a £20 million neighbourhood investment fund over the next 10 years.

The Chair will act as a champion for Ely & Caerau and its residents, ensuring that decision-making is community-led and that the Programme delivers lasting social, economic and environmental benefits.

The Chair will convene and lead the Neighbourhood Board, provide strategic oversight, and support engagement so that local people have a direct say in shaping the future of their area. This is a unique opportunity to strengthen communities, create thriving places, and empower residents to take control of their neighbourhood.
This is expected to be a voluntary role, similar to that of a school governor or charity trustee. However, to ensure that Neighbourhood Boards have the right leadership, and to open the position up to candidates who might otherwise be unable to put themselves forward, a small basic payment may be provided from the programme’s dedicated capacity funding to remunerate Chair time.

The position will be an initial 2-year fixed term with the possibility of extension after that initial period.

What are we looking for?

• A respected leader with strong, established connections to the area.
• An individual who cares deeply about the local community and its future.
• Provide strategic leadership and impartial oversight of the programme
• A confident communicator who can unite people, build relationships, and encourage collaboration.
• Someone who is committed to fairness, inclusivity, and ensuring decisions are shaped by residents.
• Able to build shared purpose and foster collective agreement around the Board’s mission to improve the area.
• Skilled at reaching consensus, handling disagreements calmly and impartially, and maintaining focus on progress.
• Capable of uniting community groups and placing community engagement at the heart of the programme.
• Thinks creatively and laterally when solving problems and finding meaningful ways to involve local voices.

Skills and attributes of a good Chair:

• Fair and balanced, ensuring that all voices are heard
• Good at facilitating conversations, particularly when differences of opinion emerge
• Open to learning, feedback and development, and an interest in mentoring and upskilling others
• Welcoming, open and listens deeply to others
• Calm under pressure and manages conflict well
• Has time to prioritise the role

Key responsibilities:

• Help to recruit and bring together a Neighbourhood Board that includes a majority of representation from local residents.
• Lead and chair the Board, ensuring strong governance and effective collaboration.
• Act as a champion for the community, ensuring local voices shape decision making.
• Proactively ensure that underrepresented voices of the community are included and listened to.
• Oversee the development of the Pride in Place Plan which sets of the vision of the investment, over the next 10 years for the area.