Appointment of Independent Board Chair – Pride In Place Programme
Hough Green and Ditton - Widnes
About Pride in Place – Hough Green and Ditton.
This £20 million, 10-year funding is to support the residents in Hough Green and Ditton to make changes in their own area. A Neighbourhood Board made up of local people and organisations, will decide how to invest this funding, supported by their MP Derek Twigg and Halton Borough Council.
The Pride in Place Programme is designed to be:
- Community-led
- Flexible
- Long-term
- Supportive
Pride in Place is focused on improving the look, feel and reputation of Hough Green and Ditton. Working with residents, local organisations, businesses and partners, the scheme supports projects that build pride, strengthen community connections and make Hough Green and Ditton a better place to live, work and visit.
Programme Objectives
The Pride in Place Programme is, at its core, a partnership between the Neighbourhood Board, Halton Borough Council and Derek Twigg MP for Widnes and Halewood, with the backing and support of Central Government. To deliver the greatest impact, Boards are encouraged to focus the funding and interventions on those communities within their boundaries that have the greatest need.
The Board, working with Derek Twigg MP and Halton Borough Council, will be responsible for producing a 10-year Pride in Place Plan for Hough Green and Ditton, with a 4-year initoial Investment Plan, setting out the activity that will be pursued to achieve the 3 strategic objectives of this programme.
The three overarching aims of this programme are:
- Building stronger communities
- Creating thriving places
- Empowering people to take back control
The Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed Chair to lead the Pride in Place scheme in Hough Green and Ditton.
The Chair will provide strategic leadership, support collaboration between partners and ensure the scheme remains focused on its goals and is accountable to the community it serves.
The Neighbourhood Board will be led by an independent Chair, appointed and approved by Halton Borough Council and Derek Twigg MP. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference locally and help shape the future of Hough Green and Ditton.
This is an unpaid voluntary role. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
This is a fixed term post until 2030 with review to extend to 2035.
We expect that the Chair should be someone who is living or working in the area, holds a prominent role in the community or has a passion for the place.
The Chair should act as a champion for Hough Green and Ditton, organising engagement that reaches out into the community, to ensure decision-making is community-led. The Chair will lead the process of recruiting and convening the Neighbourhood Board, with the support of Halton Borough Council and Derek Twigg MP for Widnes and Halewood.
Key Responsibilities
Provide leadership and direction to the Pride in Place Board
Chair meetings effectively, ensuring inclusive and constructive discussion
Support good governance, transparency and accountability
Create an environment that enables open discussion and sound decision-making
Work with partners, stakeholders and residents to progress agreed priorities
Help guide project development, delivery and evaluation and ensure that it is in line with the guidance issued by MHCLG
Encourage strong evidence-based community involvement and partnership working
Act as an ambassador for the scheme within Hough Green and Ditton and wider area.
We are looking for someone who:
Is passionate about Hough Green and Ditton and community development
Has experience in leadership, chairing meetings or working with groups (formal or informal)
Can work collaboratively with a wide range of people and organisations
Has good communication and organisational skills
Is fair, approachable and able to facilitate balanced decision-making
How to Apply
To express your interest, please submit a CV and a brief statement outlining:
Why are you interested in the role
What skills or experience would you bring
Your links to Hough Green and Ditton
Two referees who are not a relative and please state capacity you know your referee
Please state if you are not successful in appointment as the Independent Chair whether, or not, you would be interested in being a member of the Neighbourhood Board
Please send your application to: derek.twigg.mp@parliament.uk
Closing date: Noon Friday 5th June 2026.
Shortlisting/decision made Tuesday 9th June, 2026.
For more information about the national Pride in Place Programme, visit:
Pride in Place Programme: prospectus - GOV.UK
https://derektwigg.org/prideinplace/ MP’s website link
https://www.facebook.com/haltonbc/ Halton Borough Council Facebook Link
https://x.com/HaltonBC Halton Borough Council Twitter feed