Pride in Place programme

Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, speaking:

I'm delighted to say that Wyre Forest District Council has received £20 million called Pride in Place funding from central Government to be spent over a 10-year period. This is a great opportunity to bring communities and residents across the Silverwoods estate, Birchen Coppice, Rifle Range, Oldington and Foley Park together. We're looking for an independent Chair who will lead this project to work with the member of parliament, the local authority - Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council, local councillors and importantly you, the residents at the heart of the community to shape your lives and the lives of our children for a generation.

Mark Garnier OBE, Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest, speaking:

We want a really dynamic chair who can come along and who understands the needs of this community, who understands where the opportunity lies, but most importantly, that person needs to provide excellent leadership for the team that is going to be delivering this £20 million investment over the coming 10 years.

Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, speaking:

We're really looking for an individual who has the skills and experience within governance, strategic leadership, and of course, navigating complex issues and partnerships.

Cat Lewis, Principal of Kidderminster College, speaking:

This project provides an incredible opportunity for a really committed and exceptional individual to step up. This individual will be passionate about the area and will be able to readily pull together supportive coalitions of business people, civic leaders, community representatives, and local residents to make amazing things happen.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, speaking:

It isn't just about buildings, this really is about tackling health inequalities, social deprivation, social isolation, antisocial behaviour, education outputs, all of those things can be addressed with this funding and that will be the job of the Chair and the board moving forward.

Councillor Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, speaking:

This is a once in a generation opportunity for you to make a lasting difference and create a real legacy within Birchen and Coppice.

Mark Garnier OBE, Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest, speaking:

So, if you're that person, we want to hear from you.

Purpose of the role

The Chair’s primary job is to be a champion for their place and to embody the community-led spirit of the programme.

The Chair should have a deep connection to their area and can be new to this kind of work. What matters most is a commitment to seeing change through and improving the lives of those in their community.

Chair the Neighbourhood Board in an inclusive way and bring communities together to share their ideas in an open and collaborative way.

The independent Chair is best when they act as a proactive, trustworthy convenor who:

• Is deeply connected to their community and fiercely committed to making it an even better place to live.
• Can bring together different voices from across their community, to shape a collective vision for the future of their place.
• Has local credibility and will be respected as a leader – even if this is their first leadership role.
• Ensures that all voices are heard and that Board discussions are collaborative.
• Is adept at finding consensus, navigating conflict calmly and impartially, never allowing ego to get in the way of progress.
• Brings together community groups and prioritises community engagement as a central pillar of the programme.
• Is clear about their own knowledge gaps and considers how the makeup of the Board complements this.
• Thinks laterally and creatively about solutions to problems and ways to draw in community voices.
• Acts as a public face and represents the Board externally, and brings figures of different political stripes together.

The Chair should not be:

• A gatekeeper or clique-builder; the Board should have a range of voices, including ones that differ from the Chair’s.
• Seeking to push personal agendas – this is about what the community wants.
• The only decision-maker or expert in the room.
• The day-to-day delivery lead: this is a strategic post.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and impartial oversight of the programme.
• Recruit, convene and chair the Neighbourhood Board, ensuring inclusive and collaborative decision-making.
• Dirive the key stakeholder and community engagement programme and ensure is a central pillar of the programme
• Represent the Neighbourhood Board externally and act as a trusted and approachable figure within the community.
• Monitor progress, manage risks and ensure compliance with governance standards.

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

Governance and compliance

• Adhere to Nolan Principles and all relevant legislation.
• Manage conflicts of interest and ensure compliance with relevant legislation and programme standards.
• Work with the WFDC Officers to ensure compliance, accountability and reporting processes including establishing processes, policy and procedures for the Board.

Commitment

• Minimum of 4 days per month
• Attend 6-8 Board meetings annually, plus community and stakeholder engagement events. 
• Preparation and follow-up for meetings and reporting requirements.
• Act as a visible and approachable figure within the community.
• Engage with other regional Pride in Place programmes regionally. 
• Participate in the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) ‘Network for Neighbourhoods’ forum. 
• Honorarium: £10,000 per year.

Cllr Marcus Hart, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, and Panel Chair

Mark Garnier OBE, Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest

Cllr Dan Morehead, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, Wyre Forest District Council

Ostap Paparega, Deputy Chief Executive: Regeneration and Commercial, Wyre Forest District Council

Kate Bailey, Head of Strategic Growth, Wyre Forest District Council

Key stakeholder - tbc

The role may require DBS check.

Along with all Board members, the Chair will be required to declare and maintain a register of interest statement (including political affiliations) and agree to adhere to governance standards.

Applicants will be required to provide two relevant references for suitability to the role.

Key Pride in Place programme documents:

Pride in Place Programme Prospectus

Pride in Place Programme – governance and boundary guidance

Pride in Place Programme – funding profiles and timelines

Pride in Place Programme – list of indicative interventions

All these documents can be accessed via the Government website.

Please send your CV (maximum two pages) and a cover note setting out your motivation for applying and your links to the area, and how your experience and skills are relevant to the role (maximum three pages) to: jessica.thompson@wyreforestdc.gov.uk. The application deadline is Saturday 7 March 2026 (midnight). Interviews are to take place on Tuesday 31 March 2026.

For further information or an informal conversation about the role, please contact Ostap Paparega, Deputy Chief Executive: Regeneration and Commercial at 07580 725167 or Ostap.paparega@wyreforestdc.gov.uk