The All Together for Spennymoor board was scheduled to discuss the progress of their regeneration programme, including updates on community engagement and the transition to the new Pride in Place initiative. The meeting's report pack also outlined plans for future engagement and the approval of the programme's long-term vision and investment plan.

All Together for Spennymoor Programme and Submission Update

The board was set to receive an update on the All Together for Spennymoor programme following the submission of its investment plan to central government. This programme, previously known as the Plan for Neighbourhoods (PfN) and now rebranded as the Pride in Place programme, aims to foster inclusive, community-led regeneration. The report pack indicated that the programme has been expanded from 55 towns to 75 areas, with a greater emphasis on local empowerment and grassroots solutions. The scope of potential interventions has also broadened to include regeneration, high streets and heritage, transport, safety and security, housing, work, productivity and skills, cohesion, health and wellbeing, and education and opportunity. The board was expected to be informed about the governance structures and the ongoing work of various technical officer and working groups, including a strategic partnership with the youth council. The report pack highlighted that the submission deadline for the regeneration plan was 28 November 2025, and that successful approval was required to unlock funding for the delivery phase, scheduled to commence in April 2026.

Community Engagement Findings

A significant portion of the discussion was scheduled to focus on community engagement findings. The report pack detailed extensive engagement efforts, including online surveys, public events, on-street consultations, and presentations to schools. It was noted that over 417 online surveys were received, and 23 public engagement events were held, with a total of 25,500 attendees having the opportunity to engage with officers. The feedback gathered was intended to inform the programme's vision and selected projects. The report pack also mentioned the development of a webpage called 'Keep in the know' as a free messaging service for the community to receive information on issues that matter to them, which could also serve as a platform for surveys and database growth.

Changes and Additions from PfN to Pride in Place Programme

The board was scheduled to be briefed on the changes and additions resulting from the transition from the Plan for Neighbourhoods (PfN) to the Pride in Place Programme (PiPP). While the core principles of community-led regeneration remain, the PiPP prospectus, updated on 3 December 2025, signifies a more targeted and community-driven approach. The report pack indicated that for the Spennymoor Neighbourhood Board, these changes would not necessitate significant alterations to their existing processes, as they had already adhered to a balanced approach in their formation and governance. The guidance for PiPP now states that 51% of board members must live and/or work within the boundary area, and boards must have at least eight members to ensure a broad range of perspectives, aiming for resident-led decision-making.

Forward Plan and Next Steps

The meeting was scheduled to review the forward plan for future board meetings, with proposed dates in April, July, and September 2026. These meetings were intended to focus on feedback from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) regarding the Pride in Place Programme, programme delivery and monitoring, and community-led development and engagement. The report pack also outlined that face-to-face public engagement events would continue throughout the neighbourhoods, focusing on introducing the objectives of the new neighbourhood plan, gathering feedback, and fostering ongoing dialogue. The importance of effective funding management, adherence to the Subsidy Control Act and state aid regulations, and robust public procurement practices were highlighted as crucial for the successful implementation of the regeneration plan.

Investment Plan and 10-Year Vision

The board was expected to consider the approval of the 10-year vision for neighbourhood improvement and the detailed 4-year investment plan. The report pack stated that these plans were developed with extensive community consultation and were designed to address local priorities. The financial implications of the programme were also to be discussed, including the allocation of capacity funding and the ability to carry forward unspent allocations. The report pack noted that Spennymoor was among the first Town Boards to pass governance checks and receive initial funding, with further capacity funding allocated in 2025/26. The budget was described as fluid, allowing for reprofiling if projects were completed ahead of schedule or if funds were underspent.

Christmas Market

A brief discussion was scheduled regarding the success of the previous year's Christmas market. The Community Economic Development Manager was expected to propose holding another market on 13 December 2025, from 1pm to 6pm, and to seek agreement on the proposed budget for the event. The report pack indicated that the costings for this year's market were higher than the previous year.