Pride in Place - Lakenheath

Pride in Place is a national programme that will give the Lakenheath community the opportunity to decide how to invest up to £20 million over the next 10 years.

A Neighbourhood Board will be established to develop a Pride in Place Plan, setting out a vision for the area and prioritising projects the community wants to deliver.

The Pride in Place programme aims to:

build stronger communities by reconnecting people, restoring a sense of belonging and making neighbourhoods feel safe and proud
create thriving places by improving high streets, public spaces and services that tackle health and social inequalities
give people control by making sure residents have a real say in shaping their area and future

The programme includes:

stablishing a neighbourhood board - a Chair chosen by the local authority and MP will recruit board members from the community who reflect the diversity of the area. The board will work with the community to agree priorities and co-create the plan.
identifying priorities - residents will share ideas and agree what their community needs
developing a Pride in Place plan - the board and community will create a plan for the next 10 years
delivering projects - communities will work together to make projects happen
evaluating success - progress will be shared and feedback collected to make sure projects meet local needs.

Get involved

We want local people in Lakenheath to join the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board.

Board members can include:

'Local residents
community organisers
businesses
voluntary and faith groups
youth and education voices
health and wellbeing advocates
people with lived experience of the area.

The board will also consider opportunities to attract further private, public and philanthropic funding streams to ensure the programme delivers lasting change. It is expected that the board will become a community-led model of delivery by year three of the programme. This might include the board becoming a cooperative, community interest company, community benefit society or charity.

Board membership will be reviewed at the end of the first four-year investment cycle.

If you would like to learn more about the programme please refer to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Guidance: GOV.UK - Pride in Place Programme prospectus

Apply to be Chair of the neighbourhood board

The first position we are seeking to fill is the Chair of the Pride in Place Lakenheath Neighbourhood Board.

About the role

The community of Lakenheath is seeking a Chair for the Lakenheath Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board, which will lead a £20 million government investment over the next 10 years.

The Board Chair will be a champion for Lakenheath and local people, organising engagement to ensure decision-making is community-led. The Chair will lead the recruitment of members of the Neighbourhood Board, with the support of the local authority and MP, ensuring an inclusive and representative selection of people from across the local community.

Essential criteria

Someone who has a strong connection to Lakenheath, lives or works in the area, holds a prominent role in the community or has a passion for Lakenheath.
A champion for Lakenheath and local people who can demonstrate success in building strategic relationships with communities, statutory bodies and/or business sectors.
Able to bring the community together to share ideas in a collaborative way.
Able to ensure decision making is community led.
Able to provide strategic leadership to deliver lasting improvements.
Able to convene and lead diverse groups of people, including through chairing formal meetings and facilitating informal discussions.
Not an elected representative.

This is expected to be a voluntary role, similar to a school governor or charity trustee. However, to secure the best leadership for Lakenheath, modest remuneration for time and expenses (such as childcare) can be discussed with applicants.

For more information, please refer to Pride in Place Lakenheath Neighbourhood Board Chair: Role description

Application process

If you have any more questions about the role, please contact:

name
job title
Phone:
Email:

To apply for this role please complete and return the application form and email it to: recruitment@westsuffolk.gov.uk

Closing date: 16 February 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place on xxx at xxx