Neighbourhood Board Chair - South Ward Pride In Place Programme

Neighbourhood Board Chair - South Ward Pride In Place Programme

Job description

This Is Not A North Somerset Council Vacancy

This is not a North Somerset Council vacancy and as such all correspondence must be made directly to communities@n-somerset.gov.uk. The successful applicant will not be employed by North Somerset Council.

Background

The Pride in Place Programme is a £20 million, ten-year government-funded initiative designed to strengthen neighbourhoods by investing in community-led priorities. It aims to create lasting improvements in health, wellbeing, and opportunity which last far beyond the initial 10 years, through collaboration between residents, local organisations, and statutory partners. South Ward in Weston-super-Mare has been awarded funding through this initiative, offering a unique chance to shape a brighter, healthier and more prosperous future for residents.

Purpose Of The Role

As Chair, you will act as a visible champion for your community, leading the Pride in Place Programme in South Ward. This role is about empowering residents, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that local voices shape priorities and decisions. You will convene the Neighbourhood Board, inspire trust, and represent the programme externally, while mentoring the Deputy Chair to prepare for future leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and impartial oversight of the programme.
• Recruit, convene and chair a resident majority Neighbourhood Board, ensuring inclusive and collaborative decision-making.
• Drive stakeholder organisation engagement through the management of thematic working groups.
• Champion Asset-Based Community Development principles and authentic community engagement.
• Represent the Neighbourhood Board externally and act as a trusted and approachable figure within the community.
• Monitor progress, manage risks and ensure compliance with governance standards.
• Line-manage and support the Deputy Chair, offering guidance and training for succession, as the Neighbourhood Board itself become increasingly independent.

Skills & Attributes

• Proven experience chairing boards and multi-agency partnerships.
• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills, ensuring lesser heard voices have agency.
• Ability to remain impartial and manage diverse stakeholder interests.
• Must evidence strong ties to the local community.
• Approachable, collaborative, and committed to community-led development.

Commitment

• 2 days per month.
• Attend 6–8 Board meetings annually (likely on Fridays), plus community engagement events.
• Line-manage Deputy Chair and manage stakeholder working groups.
• Preparation and follow-up for meetings and reporting requirements.
• Act as a visible and approachable figure within the community.
• Engage with other regional Pride in Place programmes regionally.
• Participate in the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) ‘Network for Neighbourhoods’ forum.
• Honorarium: £30/hour, plus reasonable expenses.

Governance & Compliance

• Adhere to Nolan Principles and all relevant legislation.
• Manage conflicts of interest and ensure compliance with relevant legislation and programme standards.
• Work with the NSC Officers to ensure compliance, accountability and reporting processes including establishing processes, policy and procedures for the Board.

Recruitment Process

• Send your CV and a supporting statement outlining your relevant skills and links to the area to communities@n-somerset.gov.uk
• Interview by a panel comprising the ward councillor and NSC Cabinet Lead, the local MP, an NSC HR officer, and a community representative, followed by a short engagement exercise with a citizen‑led panel.
• The successful candidate will be informed by 11 March 2026 and should be available for an immediate start.

Additional Information

• The role may require DBS check.
• Along with all Board members and the Deputy Chair, the Chair will be required to declare and maintain a register of interest statement (including political affiliations) and agree to adhere to governance standards.
• Applicants will be required to provide two relevant references for suitability to the role.
• For further information on the Pride in Place programme please visit the following web sites:

• https://www.gov.uk/government/news/what-is-pride-in-place
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pride-in-place-programme-prospectus/pride-in-place-programme-prospectus
• https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/pride-in-place

For any further questions or to send in your CV and supporting statement, please contact us at

communities@n-somerset.gov.uk

Closing date: 5pm, Monday 16th February 2026

Interview date: Time TBC, Friday 27th February 2026