Warrington residents in the Poplars and Hulme ward are being invited to lead a major investment project, with Warrington Borough Council seeking an independent chair for a new board to oversee £20 million in funding. The investment, provided through the national Pride in Place programme, will deliver £2 million every year for the next decade to improve the local area.
The initiative is designed to be community-led, meaning the board will be responsible for deciding exactly how the £20 million is spent. The board will bring together local residents, business owners, faith leaders, and community groups to ensure the regeneration plan reflects the needs of the people living in the area. Councillor Hitesh Patel, Cabinet Member for Economy, Growth and Quality Work, stated that local residents are the real experts on their own neighbourhoods and should lead the way in shaping their future.
Charlotte Nichols, Member of Parliament for Warrington North, will serve as a member of the board and has described the funding as a generational opportunity for this part of Orford. The area is also part of the wider Central 6 Regeneration Masterplan, a long-term project aimed at improving health, cleanliness, and green spaces across several wards in the borough.
The recruitment process for the independent chair is currently open, and applications must be submitted to the council no later than 10am on Monday 11 May 2026. Following the appointment of the chair and the formation of the full board, a formal regeneration plan will be submitted to the government by Autumn 2026. If approved, the first stage of delivery funding is expected to be released in Spring 2027.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
