Pride in Place is a UK-wide grant programme investing up to £20 million over 10 years in disadvantaged neighbourhoods identified by the government as most in need of support.
This long-term investment is intended to support communities in shaping their place and help address local priorities, making lasting and positive change for their area. While success will look different in every place, the strategic objectives of the programme are to:
- build stronger communities
- create thriving places
- empower people to take back control
The three neighbourhoods in Wirral identified to receive funding are Seacombe, Woodchurch and central Birkenhead.
Neighbourhood boards
The Pride in Place Programme empowers local people to shape the future of their neighbourhood. It gives communities the resources and tools to drive change themselves and shape their neighbourhoods for the better. Local residents know what changes their areas need, and that is why communities will be leading the delivery of the programme. This community-led approach means that decision-making sits with local residents, giving people the power to shape the future of their areas.
A neighbourhood board for each of the three areas determines where and how funding will be spent. Made up of local people, the board brings together residents, local businesses, grassroots campaigners, workplace representatives, faith, and community leaders and those with a deep connection to their area. Boards are resident-led to ensure that they are representative of the communities that they serve.
Wirral Council acts as the Accountable Body for the funds with responsibility for ensuring that public funds are distributed fairly and effectively.
Independent Chair
Each Neighbourhood Board is led by an independent chair who acts as a champion for the place and local people. The Chair’s role is to facilitate fair, balanced, resident‑led decision‑making through the Board, and ensure that engagement reaches out into the community.
The independent chairs have now been appointed and are currently leading the process of recruiting and convening the Boards for the three areas.
Pride in Place Plans
Neighbourhood Boards must co-create a Pride in Place Plan with the wider community, supported by the local MP and the local authority. The Plan will outline the community’s vision for change over the next decade. Everyone will have an opportunity to have a say in the future of their area. Neighbourhood Boards will carry out extensive engagement with the community to make sure that a diverse range of voices are heard in developing this plan and at every stage of the Programme.
Timescales
The initial phases of the programme are as follows:
| Timeframe | Milestone |
|---|---|
| February 2026 | Recruitment and appointment of independent Chairs (completed) |
| Spring 2026 | Neighbourhood Boards to be established. |
| Summer 2026 | Neighbourhood Boards to confirm finalised membership and submit any proposals to alter their area boundary. |
| Winter 2026 – Early 2027 | Neighbourhood Boards to submit a regeneration plan to Government for assessment and approval. |
| Spring 2027 | Government expected to approve regeneration plans and release the first substantive delivery funding payment to local authorities, marking the beginning of the delivery phase. |
How to get involved
If you are a local resident of a Pride in Place neighbourhood you are encouraged to share your thoughts on the future of your community. Your local Neighbourhood Board wants to hear from everybody, and all ideas are welcome.
Apply to be a Board Member
If you would like to register your interest to sit on a Neighbourhood Board, please complete the online form below.
Your Expression of Interest can also be submitted in the format of a video file. This should be no longer than 3 minutes and hosted online. Please share a link by email (rather than the file itself) to prideinplace@wirral.gov.uk
Paper copies of the Expression of Interest form will also be available from Make Hamilton (Birkenhead), Diversity Hub (Seacombe) and Woodchurch Connect (Woodchurch) and at local launch events. Look out for details across social media platforms.
The closing date for submissions is Friday 29 May 2026.
What happens next
Applications will be shortlisted by the Chair of the Board with support from Wirral Council and your local MP.
If shortlisted, you may be asked to provide further information before a decision can be made.
It is anticipated that the new Neighbourhood Boards will be in place by the end of June 2026.
Resources
Visit GOV.UK to find out more about the Pride in Place programme to view the fund prospectus and details of funding profiles and timelines, governance and boundary guidance, and a list of indicative interventions.