Purpose

The Council to agree its role as accountable body for this MHCLG programme, associated capital and revenue funding, and to approve delegations to enable this community-led programme to progress

Decision

Agreed the Council’s role as the accountable body for the Pride in Place programme and to enter into agreement with the Ministry of Housing Community and Local Government (MHCLG) to fulfil this responsibility. This role to be continued until any subsequent agreement be completed to transfer this responsibility to another body.

Delegated to the Director of Place and Growth, in consultation with relevant Cabinet member and the Section 151 officer to sign associated agreements, or contracts.

Accepted the capacity building funding (value £150,000) and delegated to the Assistant Director Economy and Skills to apply this funding to eligible Pride in Place capacity building activities. This to be done in consultation with the Independent Chair for Pride in Place Thamesmead Birchmere Park (once appointed) and MP for Erith and Thamesmead.

Delegated to the Director of Place and Growth to draw down and allocate the funding for capacity building and agreed projects for early phase of programme. The profile from MHCLG is in Appendix A.

Agreed that the section 151 officer, or deputy, will approve any monitoring or claim submissions to be completed for MHCLG.

Noted the funding received from MHCLG in May 2026 totalling £252,604 as the 2026-2027 payment to enable activity during the period prior to the submission and acceptance of a Pride in Place Plan.

Delegated to the Director of Place and Growth, in consultation with the relevant lead members, to undertake the necessary recruitment processes for the selection of the Independent Chair and members of the Neighbourhood Board, working in close collaboration with the MP for Thamesmead and Erith.

Agreed that the Assistant Director for Economy & Skills shall act as the Council’s representative in matters relating to Pride in Place including Board membership. Agreed that the Assistant Director of Economy & Skills will ensure that any associated documentation required as part of the Council’s participation in Pride in Place, including funding MoU and acceptance of funding from MHCLG is completed.

Delegated authority to the Director of Place and Growth, working in consultation with the MP and the Chair of the Neighbourhood Board to:

a)         Finalise the boundaries and governance arrangements for the Thamesmead Birchmere Park Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board.

b)         Ensure appropriate local oversight, community involvement and decision-making structures are established in line with Pride in Place requirements.

Agreed that the Neighbourhood Board, once constituted and agreed by MHCLG, in consultation with the Director of Place and Growth, will direct the development of the Pride in Place Investment Plan for Thamesmead Birchmere Park, to include public consultation and submission to Government in line with the Pride in Place guidance.

Noted that the Pride in Place programme seeks to devolve decision-making on projects and funding allocation to the Neighbourhood Board.   The Council has an essential enabling role, the Neighbourhood Board may in time establish their own processes and procedures to enable the programme to deliver successfully in meeting the identified needs of the community. Noted that these will need to meet MHCLG guidance and standards set down regarding use of public funds, the Public Sector Equality duty and Equality Act 2010.