A familiar community voice, Jo Gittins, has been appointed to lead a community board overseeing a £20 million pot of money to support ‘Farnley East’ over the next ten years.
The Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board in ‘Farnley East’ is one of four Leeds neighbourhoods set to benefit from Government funding through the Pride in Place Programme.
Over the next decade, the area which extends into the Heights/Silverroyd area, and over towards the Thornhill estate, will receive £20 million in Government funding, delivered in annual instalments of around £2 million.
The money will be spent by a Neighbourhood Board, which must be made up of local residents or people with a vested interest in the success of the area.
Both the Chair and Neighbourhood Board will listen to local people to agree spending priorities and oversee delivery so that the money benefits everyone who lives in the area.
Following an interview process with a number of applicants, Jo Gittins has been appointed as Chair of the Farnley East Neighbourhood Board. The interview panel was made up of people from the ‘Local Reference Group’ – the community volunteer group set up by Mark Sewards MP to advise on selecting the Chair.
Commenting on her appointment, Ms Gittins said: “This area is a huge part of who I am. I’ve lived here for most of my life, going to school in Farnley and raising my own family here. I’m a real people person, with the energy, drive, and determination to get things done.
“Over the years, I’ve worked hard to connect people and groups and help make positive things happen across LS12. I’m always keen to get involved in community events and local projects.
“We now have a massive opportunity to invest in improving the look and feel of the area, rebuilding what’s been lost and creating what we’ve never had. Most importantly, we can focus on the things that make a real difference to people’s day-to-day lives and strengthen our sense of community.”
Jo brings a strong mix of professional expertise, governance experience, and community organising to the role. Through community-led work, she has shown a particular commitment to young people and improving opportunities for them.
Mark Sewards, Member of Parliament for Leeds South West and Morley, added: “I’m delighted that Jo has been selected to Chair the Neighbourhood Board. She is a brilliant person with a lifetime’s worth of experience of Farnley.
She cares about the local community and wants it to succeed. I look forward to working with Jo, local residents, the Council and the Board once it is established, to spend this money on the community through our Labour Government’s Pride in Place programme.
“I’ll also continue to argue for the inclusion of the Tong Estate, Farnley Hall Park, the Stonebridges and the Stonecliffes as part of the Pride in Place area. The decision to seek authority for this change, now sits with the Neighbourhood Board.”
Applications to join the Farnley East Neighbourhood Board are open and will close on 17 April. For more information on how to apply, visit this website, or contact PrideinPlace.Farnley@Leeds.gov.uk.
Armley and New Wortley will also be boosted by the Pride in Place Programme. WLD reported last week that the Rev Phil Arnold, from Christ Church, had been appointed chair of its board.
Sponsored content
