Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board Independent Chair: Farnley East
Role description
Purpose of the role
To deliver the Pride in Place Programme, Neighbourhood Boards are being set up in every funded neighbourhood across the country.
Each Board will be led by an independent Chair – someone who can bring communities together to share their ideas in an open and collaborative way.
The Chair’s primary job is to be a champion for their place and to embody the community-led spirit of the programme.
The Chair should have a deep connection to their area and can be new to this kind of work. What matters most is a commitment to seeing change through and improving the lives of those in their community.
Key Responsibilities
The role of the Chair is flexible and will evolve with the needs of the community, but core responsibilities include:
Leading and chairing the Neighbourhood Board, ensuring strong governance and effective collaboration.
Engaging with residents, community groups, local businesses and other key stakeholders.
Working with the local MP and Local Authority to agree Board membership and approve plans.
Overseeing the development of the Pride in Place Plan, setting out the community’s long‑term vision.
The independent Chair is best when they act as a proactive, trustworthy convenor who:
is deeply connected to their community and fiercely committed to making it an even better place to live
can bring together different voices from across their community, to shape a collective vision for the future of their place
has local credibility and will be respected as a leader – even if this is their first leadership role
ensures that all voices are heard and that Board discussions are collaborative
is adept at finding consensus, navigating conflict calmly and impartially, never allowing ego to get in the way of progress
brings together community groups and prioritises community engagement as a central pillar of the programme
is clear about their own knowledge gaps and considers how the makeup of the Board complements this
thinks laterally and creatively about solutions to problems and ways to draw in community voices
acts as a public face and represents the Board externally
The Chair should not be:
a gatekeeper or clique-builder; the Board should have a range of voices, including ones that differ from the Chair’s
seeking to push personal agendas – this is about what the community wants
the only decision-maker or expert in the room
Skills and attributes of a good Chair:
fair and balanced, ensuring that all voices are heard
good at facilitating conversations, particularly when differences of opinion emerge
open to learning, feedback and development, and an interest in mentoring and upskilling others
welcoming, open and listens deeply to others
calm under pressure and manages conflict well
has time to prioritise the role
It is expected that the Chair should be ‘from’, living or working in the area, holds a prominent role in the community or has a passion for the place.
This is a voluntary role, similar to that of a school governor or charity trustee. However, to ensure that Neighbourhood Boards have the right leadership, and to open the position up to candidates who might otherwise be unable to put themselves forward, a small basic payment may be provided. Should such an arrangement be agreed between the local MP and the Neighbourhood Board, full details of the payment should be published online.
Time Commitment
The role is expected to involve up to 60 hours per month during the first six months. After this initial period, the time commitment is anticipated to reduce to 8–10 hours per month.
How to apply
If you think that this role might be for you, please submit your Expression of Interest by the 22nd March 2026 setting out in no more than 500 words:
how you are connected to the geographical area and community in which you would like to be Chair
how your skills, attributes and experience will contribute to the role of the Chair
Send your Expression of Interest by email to: PrideinPlace.Farnley@Leeds.gov.uk