Paul Hanson (left) and Bishop Helen-Ann (right), neighbourhood board independent chairs
Two prominent local figures, Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley and Paul Hanson, have been appointed as the independent chairs of the neighbourhood boards that will oversee how £40 million of community funding is spent in Newcastle.
Parts of Elswick and Walker have been selected to receive funding through the government’s Pride in Place programme which will bring significant investment into community organisations, spaces and buildings over the next ten years.
Neighbourhood boards will be responsible for allocating the funding and developing a neighbourhood plan to make sure the money is spent on local people’s priorities.
Recruitment for board members with strong links to the areas is now underway following the appointment of the two chairs who will lead the boards.
Bishop Helen-Ann, who has served as Bishop of Newcastle since 2023, will chair the Elswick Board, while Paul Hanson, Director of Estates, Facilities and Strategic Partnerships at Newcastle Hospitals and former Chief Executive of North Tyneside Council, will chair the Walker Board.
Cllr Colin Ferguson, newly elected Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “We have ambitious plans for Newcastle and have always been clear that communities need to be at the heart of decision-making, so it is fantastic to see momentum building around Pride in Place.
“Bishop Helen-Ann and Paul bring with them a wealth of experience and will be well-placed to work with local communities to ensure that this funding has the greatest impact, helping to create high-quality public spaces and dignified neighbourhoods we can all be proud of. I’m looking forward to working with them and the boards as they become established.”
Bishop Helen-Ann said: “Elswick is a vibrant and diverse part of Newcastle with so many voluntary and community organisations doing such valuable work and much potential for this funding to make a real, once-in-a-lifetime difference to the area. I was delighted when I heard that Newcastle was included in the Pride in Place programme and now incredibly excited that I will play a part in this through the neighbourhood board for Elswick.”
Paul Hanson said: “The Pride in Place programme will support physical improvements alongside the development of organisations, services and activities; investments that will benefit local neighbourhoods for years to come.
“Walker has seen many changes and much regeneration over the years, but strong communities have always been a constant. I’ll be proud to chair the board that will continue to put Walker and its residents at the heart of how the area develops. As a team, Newcastle Hospitals want to make sure we play a full part in the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.”
Each Pride in Place neighbourhood board will include representation from the area’s Member of Parliament.
The government has given Members of Parliament a key role in convening the board and selecting the independent chairs. MPs will continue to play a prominent role as board members to deliver on the government’s promise to put communities at the heart of decision-making.
Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central and West which includes Elswick, said: “I’m proud to represent Elswick in Parliament, it’s a fantastic, historic part of our great city with strong communities, who regularly tell me about opportunities for improvement and some of the challenges they face.
“I am so pleased the government’s Pride in Place programme will bring real investment to Elswick communities, putting local people at the heart of decisions, so funding goes where it’s needed most and delivers real, lasting benefits. As a board member, my job is to make sure local people shape the outcomes they want and I’ll be working with local communities and businesses to do just that!”
MP Mary Glindon, who represents the area including Walker, said: “This funding represents an important opportunity to build on the strengths of our communities in Walker. It is a clear example of a government working in partnership with local communities to deliver investment where it is needed most.
“Investment in local spaces, services and organisations will help create neighbourhoods where people feel proud to live and work. I welcome the appointment of the chairs and look forward to taking my seat on the Walker neighbourhood board.”
In addition to Elswick and Walker, parts of Fawdon and Throckley, Newburn and Walbottle have also been selected as Pride in Place neighbourhoods and are currently in the process of establishing their own boards.
Information sessions about joining a neighbourhood board and getting involved in decision-making are happening across the four areas – visit www.newcastle.gov.uk/prideinplace for details.