Four community champions that will lead the roll out of a programme of up to £100m across Manchester have been announced.
Earlier this year Manchester announced that several of its neighbourhoods had been selected to be part of the Government’s Pride in Place Scheme.
These neighbourhoods were Benchill South & Wythenshawe Central, Clayton Vale (parts of Clayton, Openshaw, Newton Heath & Miles Platting), Gorton South (parts of Longsight, Gorton & Abbey Hey, Levenshulme) and Harpurhey South & Monsall (parts of Harpurhey, Moston, and Crumpsall).
This would see a grant of up to £20m spent in these neighbourhoods over the next 10 years; spending that would at its core be directed for and by the residents of those communities. As part of this process a call went out for local people to put themselves forward to direct this process, servicing as the chairperson for newly created Neighbourhood Boards.
These boards will be the focal point of how money is spent over the next 10 years, with the role of chair incredibly important in driving this project forward.
Find out more about the PiP journey so far by clicking here.
Today, Manchester City Council can proudly announce the people who have been appointed as chair for Benchill South & Wythenshawe Central, Clayton Vale, Gorton South, and Harpurhey South & Monsall.
A process of appointing a chair and board for Moss Side West (parts of Moss Side and Whalley Range), a fifth PiP neighbourhood is still underway, and will be announced in the near future.
Introducing the Chairs
Benchill South & Wythenshawe Central - Eamonn O’Neal, OBE.
Broadcaster, journalist, Wythenshawe native and former High Sherrif of Manchester, Eamonn has been a long-standing figure in the Manchester community for decades. Speaking about serving as chair, he said: “I want the projects to deliver what matters most to the people of Wythenshawe - sustainable, cultural initiatives with appropriate public realm development, which match the community’s real priorities.”
Gorton South – Jo Sharples
Embedded within her neighbourhood, over the past six years Jo has supported the development of a range of community-led initiatives in Longsight, using her experience as an architect to promote the diverse and rich culture of the area, and make people feel proud of the place they call their home.
She said: “I want to make sure that this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for change creates a positive domino effect that spurns genuinely community led regeneration and has long-lasting impact.”
Clayton Vale – Andrew Wickens
Anglican Priest Andrew Wickens has called the Clayton Vale area his home for 16 years and views his appointment as chair as an “honour”, and a role he relishes jumping into. Before being ordained as a priest in 2000, Andrew worked across a range of fields, from music to education, and wants to bring all of those skills to the job of chair.
He said: “I am a fierce advocate of equitable provision and opportunities; for people to be agents, to develop their talents and passions, maybe finding new ones, all to realise their potential; and for their voices to be heard.”
Harpurhey – Tom Woodcock
With long standing experience in the voluntary, healthcare and charity sector Tom, who has called Harpurhey his home for more than three decades, is looking to bring his expertise to delivering the best for local people.
He said: “Born in Salford in 1964 with English and Irish heritage I grew up in Bury and have been living in the Harpurhey ward for thirty years with my wife Debra and our four (now adult) children.”
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the new Pride in Place chairs. The direction, input and guidance they provide to our Neighbourhood boards will be vital over the next decade as the work is put in to deliver for communities across Manchester.
“Pride in Place is a once in a generation opportunity to transform areas of Manchester, and a once in a generation opportunity for that change to be driven by the people who call those areas home.
“I’m eager to see my new colleagues in place and begin our partnership to improve the lives of Mancunians.”