Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board and Chair

To deliver the Pride in Place programme in Llanelli, a Neighbourhood Board is being established. The Chair of the Neighbourhood Board will be an independent member of the community and is someone who can champion the local residents and foster their ideas to effectively lead a community-first initiative. The chair must have a deep connection to the area and a passion for seeing through significant funding which will benefit the local community. The Neighbourhood Board will have to work with Carmarthenshire County Council to submit a plan to the UK Government about how they propose to use the funding, and the Chair role is key to ensuring that this genuinely reflects the needs of the community.

The Chair will act as a proactive, trustworthy convener 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, and brings figures of different political stripes together.

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. 
• The day-to-day delivery lead: this is a strategic role.
• An elected representative, such as a Member of Parliament, Member of the Senedd, Local councillor.

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 
  

• Lead on the recruitment of the other members of the Neighbourhood Board, liaising with  Carmarthenshire County Council and the local MP in the final Board selection.
• Lead and chair meetings of the Neighbourhood Board.
• Support the development and monitoring of the Pride in Place Plan – a 10-year vision for a place, which will include a detailed investment plan for the first 4-year investment cycle.  
• Work creatively and proactively with the MP’s team and the Council to ensure meaningful public engagement and consultation, ensuring that voices across the demographic is heard. 
• Work collaboratively with residents, community groups, partners, and local services, ensuring extensive and meaningful community engagement in the development of the Pride and Place plan and thereafter. 
• Champion the Pride in Place vision and encourage community participation.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the following criteria:

• Motivation and commitment / availability
• Understanding of local community issues
• Experience of community involvement, volunteering, or neighbourhood activity
• Experience of chairing meetings or facilitating group discussions
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead, motivate and build consensus
• Ability to work collaboratively with partners and residents

The role will typically involve attending Neighbourhood Board meetings, preparation time, and additional engagement activities where required. It is anticipated that there will be a time commitment of at least 2 days a month. It is likely that the first six months of the programme will require more intensive commitment as the Board is established and community engagement commences. In the early stages of the programme the Chair will also need to commit time to liaise with the local MP and CCC to support the establishment of the Board and development of a local Pride in Place plan.

The Chair of the Neighbourhood Board will receive ongoing support from the Council as the Accountable Body for the funding, and also the local MP. The Chair will be supported in the process of recruitment of local stakeholders and residents to the Boards, and throughout the process of developing strategic priorities for each area. Secretariat and governance support for the Board will also be provided by the Council.

This is an unpaid voluntary role. However, in recognition of the commitment expected from the role, the Chair will receive a reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred.

The Board will bring together residents, local businesses, grassroots campaigners, workplace representatives, faith, and community leaders and those with a deep connection to their area. The local authority and the local MP must approve the final Board selection, which will include local residents. Neighbourhood Boards must also include the relevant local MP and at least one ward councillor. They should be resident-led, to ensure that they are representative of the communities that they serve. The Boards must ensure there are more residents and people who live or work in the area on the Board than there are elected representatives. 

To encourage diverse and inclusive Boards, the chair will want to consider membership from the following groups: 

• Community leaders, organisers and activists, such as local charities, faith groups, community groups, neighbourhood forums, youth groups or social clubs 
• Local businesses and social enterprises, such as key local employers, the local Chamber of Commerce or Business Improvement District, registered social housing providers or Co-operatives 
• Cultural, arts, heritage and sporting organisations, such as local sports clubs or sporting organisations, local heritage groups or local museums and arts spaces 
• Public agencies and anchor institutions, such as local schools, higher education and further education institutions, local health care providers, or relevant representatives from local authorities 

Please note: This list is non-exhaustive, and membership will depend on the local context.

Please submit an Expression of Interest form and CV by 26 May 2026 to Prideinplace@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Download an Expression of Interest form