The Pride in Place Programme (PiPP) Board (Peterlee East) met on Friday 17 April 2026 to discuss the progress of the programme, including funding, governance, and community engagement. The board was scheduled to review the overall programme update, approved interventions, and the defined boundary for Peterlee East.

Programme Update

The board was set to receive an update on the Pride in Place Programme (PiPP), a £5 billion government initiative aimed at supporting long-term, community-focused regeneration across Great Britain. Peterlee East is one of four neighbourhoods in County Durham selected to participate in Phase 2 of the programme, which is set to receive up to £20 million in funding over 10 years. This funding is tied to the development of a Pride in Place Investment Plan, comprising 63% capital and 37% revenue funding. The programme's core objective is to empower local residents to shape their neighbourhood's future through transformative local projects.

Key dates for Peterlee East were outlined, including the initial release of funding in April 2026 to support community engagement and board establishment, with funds received on 29 January and 11 March. The board was expected to confirm neighbourhood boards and any proposed boundary alterations by 17 July 2026, with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) reviewing these proposals in Autumn 2026. The final Pride in Place Plan is due to be submitted to MHCLG by 28 November 2026.

The board's responsibilities include co-producing a 10-year Vision and Pride in Place Plan for the area, focusing on three strategic objectives: Stronger communities (building social cohesion, sense of belonging, and local safety), Thriving places (revitalising high streets, improving public spaces, and enhancing local services), and Taking back control (empowering residents in decision-making, local asset ownership, skills development, and entrepreneurship). The plan, which must be resident-led, will detail how the £20 million will be allocated over a decade and will also consider opportunities to attract additional funding from private, public, and philanthropic sources.

The report recommended that the Board note the progress with launching engagement events and receive regular reports on feedback from these sessions and early co-design activities.

Neighbourhood Board Governance

The report detailed the governance arrangements for the Peterlee East Neighbourhood Board. An independent Chair, Nik Welsh, was to lead the recruitment and convening of the Board, with support from the local authority and the local Member of Parliament (MP). The Board members would collectively lead the development of the Plan, with each member having an equal vote.

A majority of Board members (at least 51%) are required to live or work within the Peterlee East boundary to ensure a resident-led approach. The Board's composition should reflect the diversity of the area and include residents, local businesses, campaigners, workplace representatives, faith, and community leaders. The local authority, Chair, and MP would approve the final Board selection. An Expression of Interest process was live for community representatives, closing on 12 April 2026.

The programme's prospectus anticipates a transition towards community-led delivery models by year three, mirroring the approach of the Phase 1 Spennymoor Board. The council would assist the Board in identifying areas for delegation to community groups and identifying suitable groups for specific projects. Capacity funding had been received to support broad community engagement through various methods, including events, youth clubs, schools, and on-street engagement, with a focus on reaching those who might not typically participate in formal meetings. A Community and Economic Development Lead Officer for Peterlee East had been recruited to support the Board. Feedback mechanisms were to be embedded to ensure community involvement and accountability.

Accountable Bodies

The Board would lead decision-making, with Durham County Council acting as the accountable body for the funds. The council would ensure fair and effective distribution of funds, adhering to the programme's Terms of Reference, the Nolan Principles¹, the Equality Act, the Public Sector Equality Duty², and regulations concerning subsidy control, state aid, and procurement.

Approved Interventions

The Pride in Place Programme has identified several intervention themes that the Board could consider for delivery, offering flexibility to meet community needs. These themes include:

• Regeneration, high streets, and heritage
• Housing
• Work, productivity, and skills
• Cohesion
• Community Power
• Health and wellbeing
• Transport
• Safety and security
• Education and opportunity

Resources

Peterlee East is allocated up to £20 million over 10 years, with a funding split of 63% capital and 37% revenue. Capacity funding of £150,000 was received on 29 January 2026, followed by £135,000 on 11 March 2026, to support community engagement and Board establishment, along with dedicated project officer support. This funding would be used for engagement activities, including events, documentation, design, and promotional materials. To access the delivery allocation, Peterlee East must submit a 10-year vision and a 4-year Pride in Place Plan by 28 November 2026.

Geography

Funding must be spent within the agreed geographic area of Peterlee East, though interventions could extend to key local assets like the high street or green spaces, provided the concentration of expenditure benefits local residents. The Board has the flexibility to propose alterations to the default boundary, within set parameters, by 17 July 2026.

Stakeholder Engagement

The programme prioritises community-led approaches to identify priorities and necessary interventions, aiming to build civic capacity. The Board, council, and MP are tasked with ensuring community ownership and providing ongoing support. Early engagement with local communities and stakeholders had commenced through meetings and informal discussions in community centres and sports venues. A leaflet with a QR code linking to the programme's website and Let's Talk pages was being produced for distribution to all residents, with paper copies available at community venues.

Face-to-face engagement sessions were planned across various community venues, supplemented by attendance at large-scale events. Details of forthcoming engagement opportunities would be updated online and shared via social media. The Board was encouraged to share social media content to maximise reach. A procurement exercise was to take place to arrange events such as family fun days and Christmas events to boost participation. Board members interested in participating in engagement sessions were asked to inform the Lead Officer.

Next Steps

The Board was scheduled to receive updates on engagement sessions to help define the Vision for Peterlee East. Key upcoming actions included confirming the Neighbourhood Boards and any boundary alteration proposals to MHCLG by 17 July 2026, progressing the procurement of an events team, presenting a draft submission of the 10-year vision and Pride in Place Plan by October 2026, and submitting the final plan to MHCLG by 28 November 2026.