People across a swathe of north-central Swansea are being invited to apply for the board that will decide how £20m of UK Government money is spent in their neighbourhoods over the next ten years.
Applications opened today to join the area’s new Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board, which will draw up a ten-year vision and investment plan.
“North Gate Swansea” is the name given to the programme area, covering North Hill, Upper High Street, Dyfatty, Hafod, Brynmelyn, Waun Wen and surrounding neighbourhoods — the cluster of communities north of the railway station selected earlier this year for up to £20m under the UK Government’s Pride in Place programme.
The board will be chaired by Thom Lynch, co-founder of the High Street charity Matthew’s House, whose appointment was announced last month.
Anyone who lives, works, volunteers, studies or has a strong connection to the area can apply, and no previous board experience is needed. Applications can be made in writing or by video, with a deadline of 12pm on Thursday 16 July.
Mr Lynch said more than forty local people had expressed an interest before applications had even opened.
“We are looking for people who care deeply about this area and want to play an active role in helping it thrive,” he said. “What matters most is your passion for the community, your willingness to work with others and your desire to create lasting positive change.”
Swansea West MP Torsten Bell said people in the area deserved “not only to see investment to strengthen their communities” but “a voice in what those investments should be”.
“I fought for this funding because it gives us the chance to show that no part of Swansea can be written off,” he said. “Please do get involved.”
Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said the board would ensure local people helped shape priorities and decisions, adding that he looked forward to “a wide range of people stepping forward”.
Places on the board are limited, but applicants who miss out will be encouraged to join a wider North Gate Swansea Changemakers Network supporting projects across the area.
Anyone wanting to find out more can meet Mr Lynch at an informal drop-in session at Matthew’s House on High Street this Friday, 10 July, between 11am and 1pm.
Application packs are available at northgateswanseapip.co.uk or by emailing hello@northgateswanseapip.co.uk.
The area has seen a run of recent investment activity, including a row of long-empty High Street units reopening as the Dyfatty Junction community space last month, as police reported falling crime in the neighbourhood.
North Gate Swansea is one of three Pride in Place areas locally. In Llanelli, where an equivalent board is steering the town’s own £20m programme, applications close today — while the Afan Valley’s £20m drive is chaired by former Neath Port Talbot Council chief executive Karen Jones, who was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours last month.
