Residents in Ipswich are being invited to help decide how significant long-term government investment is used to improve their local areas as Ipswich Borough Council opens applications for two new community-led boards. The Pride in Place Neighbourhood Boards will allow local people to shape the future of their communities by directing how funding is spent over the next decade.
The council is seeking residents and people with strong local connections to join the boards for Stoke Park and Chantry, as well as for the Whitehouse area. Each board will manage £20 million in government funding to be allocated over the next 10 years. These groups are intended to be community-led, putting the power to identify and address local priorities directly into the hands of those who live there, rather than relying on decisions made by central authorities.
Ipswich has secured a total of £41.5 million through the national Pride in Place programme. This includes the £20 million awards for each of the two neighbourhoods, alongside £1.5 million obtained in an earlier phase. Local MP Jack Abbott, who helped secure the funding, noted that the investment represents a significant opportunity to change lives in the town. Council Leader Councillor Neil MacDonald welcomed the move, stating that the long-term investment provides communities with the power to shape their own future.
The boards must be formally established by 17 July 2026. Each group will be led by an independent chair and will include a diverse membership of residents, local businesses, community groups, faith leaders, and ward councillors. The national programme is set to distribute up to £5.8 billion across nearly 285 neighbourhoods across the United Kingdom, with each participating area receiving up to £20 million to help improve local foundations.
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