Meet the people with responsibility to spend £20 million to revitalise Central Luton

Under the government's new Pride in Place programme, the Central Luton area is set to receive a £20 million investment over the next ten years. An independent Neighbourhood Board of people who live, work or volunteer in Central Luton has now been formed to help decide how to spend the money, and they'll soon be asking for your views. 

Led by independent chair Dr Nina Pearson, and formed of local people, alongside two councillors and Luton South and South Bedfordshire MP Rachel Hopkins - who secured the funding from the government - the board says it will be a voice for the Central Luton community in directing this long-term investment. 

The Pride in Place programme is putting pots of £20 million funding into the hands of communities across the country, intended to revitalise areas with the highest levels of deprivation. The money could be spent on backing community projects, improving venues, revitalising streets and green spaces, or in line with other priorities.  It's led by the community, for the community, and will create a legacy in Luton lasting for years to come. 

The Central Luton Neighbourhood Board has now held its first meeting, where the group explored the next steps in the programme, including getting started on plans to engage with the community, and reiterated its commitment to being their voice and delivering on their priorities.  

Rachel Hopkins said: "I'm really pleased that we have now had our inaugural meeting of the Central Luton Neighbourhood Board. We have an excellent board in place who bring with them a huge range of skills and experience, representing local people, businesses, and many of our voluntary and community organisations, importantly all united by their drive to bring back pride in Central Luton. 

"I am excited to see how this project progresses as the board gets stuck into those important next steps – engaging with the community and finding out what residents want to see delivered in their neighbourhood." 

Dr Nina Pearson said: "After having spent almost 22 years of my career as a GP caring for Central Luton residents at Lea Vale Practice in Liverpool Road, I am honoured to contribute my leadership and transformation experience to the Neighbourhood Board. 

"There was such energy in the room at the board's first meeting, members already have lots of exciting ideas and are raring to go and start engaging with the community. This Pride in Place funding is a fantastic opportunity for local people to decide what matters most to them to improve their neighbourhood and their lives.  I'm looking forward to working with the board to deliver the changes residents want to see and bring the community together.” 

Full list of Board Members: 
Dr Nina Pearson (Independent Chair) 
Rachel Hopkins MP 
Cllr Dave Taylor 
Cllr Fatima Begum 
Anisah Ahmed 
Benjamin Cyrus-Clark 
Gavin O'Brien 
Imran Bashir 
Jenn Smith 
Mark Billington 
Pamela Rahman