Join a Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board
Help shape the future of your neighbourhood
The Pride in Place Neighbourhood Boards bring local people together to decide how investment is used to improve each of the areas over the next 10 years.
We are looking for residents and people with strong local connections who want to help make a positive difference to their community in Stoke Park and Chantry, and Whitehouse for the two new Boards.
What does a Neighbourhood Board do?
The boards work with local residents, community groups, businesses and partners to:
- Listen to what matters most to local people
- Set priorities for the neighbourhood
- Decide how Pride in Place funding is spent
- Oversee projects and make sure they deliver real benefits
- Act in the best interests of the whole community
The board does not run services day to day – its role is to guide decisions, provide oversight and represent the community.
Who can join?
You don’t need to be an expert or have formal qualifications.
We welcome applications from people who:
- Live or work in the neighbourhood, or have strong links to it
- Care about their local area and want to see it thrive
- Are willing to listen to different views and work with others
- Can bring local knowledge, enthusiasm or lived experience
We especially encourage people from under‑represented groups, younger residents, and those whose voices aren’t always heard to get involved.
The Board will compose of a Chair, the local MP for the area, at least one local ward councillor and seven or more local people as Board Members.
What’s involved in being a Chair or a Board Member?
As a board member, you would:
- Attend board meetings (usually every few months)
- Read papers and prepare for discussions
- Help engage with local residents and groups
- Declare any conflicts of interest and act openly and fairly
- Follow a simple code of conduct
For the role of Board Chair, there are some additional responsibilities around ensuring the meeting is conducted to its collectively agreed rules and providing added leadership for the Board group and members.
This is a voluntary role, but reasonable expenses and costs can be covered. We do not want finances to be a barrier, so if you are interested in applying for a role, the application form will ask what you need from the programme to be able to give your time.
What support will I get?
You won’t be expected to do this alone. The Chairs and Board Members are supported with:
- An induction and training
- Clear guidance on roles and responsibilities
- Support from the accountable body (currently the local council)
- Opportunities to build skills, confidence and local networks
- Practical support to help the Board agree its ten-year Vision and first four-year funding plan
- Support to plan the long-term future of the group and its significant investment pot
Why get involved?
People join the boards because they want to:
- Have a real say in decisions that affect their area
- Help secure long-term improvements for their community
- Gain experience in leadership, decision-making and working with others
- Be part of something that leaves a lasting positive legacy
Find out more
If you’re interested in joining one of the two new Neighbourhood Boards, we’d love to hear from you.
We’ve created a pack to give you more information about what is expected in each role.
Chair Info Pack – Stoke Park and Chantry Stoke Park & Chantry Information Pack
Board Member Info Pack – Stoke Park and Chantry Board Member Stoke Park Information Pack
Chair Info Pack – Whitehouse Board Chair Whitehouse Information Pack
Board Member Info Pack – Whitehouse Board Member Whitehouse Information Pack
Chairs and Members will also be expected to follow a code of conduct suited to the role and the responsibility that comes with it which you can find here - Neighbourhood Board members code of conduct
If you require any of this information in an alternative format or in a plain Word document, please get in touch. We have kept the PDFs text based to better suit accessibility standards.
Ready to apply?
Please use the following forms to express your interest in joining by answer a few simple questions. Use the same form for both areas and we’ll ask which area you are interested in and how you will meet the experience and skills outlined in the packs above.
Apply to be a Chair Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board Chair
Apply to be a Board Member Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board Member
You will also need to email your CV with your name and area choice clearly within the subject line to communities@ipswich.gov.uk
Please note as you need a local connection, you can only apply to join one of the areas Neighbourhood Board - Stoke Park and Chantry, or Whitehouse.
If you apply to be a Chair but are unsuccessful in the selection process, you can tell us on your application form if you’d automatically like to be considered as a Board Member for the same area without needing to apply twice.
If you’re unsure whether the role is right for you, please get in touch — we’re happy to have an informal chat and answer any questions: communities@ipswich.gov.uk
Timeline for applications and selection
- 14th May – Applications for both Chair and Board Members open
- 15th June – Applications for Chair close
- Around 29th June – Interviews for Chair (this will be confirmed to you at application)
- 9th July – Closing date for Board Members
- Around 20th July – Interviews for Board Members (this will be confirmed to you at application)
- 13th August – Expecting to start first Board Meetings