Peterborough City Council is looking for residents to help guide how £40 million in government funding will be spent to improve local neighbourhoods. The money is part of a national programme called Pride in Place, and the council is currently recruiting volunteers to join two boards that will oversee projects in their respective areas over the next decade.
The funding is split equally between two specific zones in the city: Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland, and Orton Malborne and Orton Goldhay. Each area will receive £2 million every year for ten years to support improvements in areas like community services, education, health, and local employment. Orton Goldhay is currently considered among the most deprived neighbourhoods in England, highlighting the significance of this long-term investment for the community.
To ensure the money reflects the needs of local people, the council has appointed independent chairs to lead the efforts. Jonathan Jelley MBE JP, who has extensive experience with organisations such as Healthwatch Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, will lead the board for Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland. Ejaz Moghul has been appointed to chair the board for Orton Malborne and Goldhay.
North-West Cambridgeshire MP Sam Carling has expressed strong support for the project, encouraging those with a personal connection to the area to step forward. He noted that it is vital for the people who know these communities best to have a direct say in how the funding is used to shape the future of their streets.
The council is asking for applicants who live, work, or volunteer in these neighbourhoods and have a real passion for their community. While the board positions are voluntary and unpaid, the council confirmed that members will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, including travel, childcare, and other caring costs. Applications for these roles must be submitted by Friday 22 May 2026.
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