The Pride in Place Programme (PiPP) Board for Crook North/Tow Law is scheduled to meet on Friday 25 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes updates on the Pride in Place Programme, discussions on future salary charges for operational delivery, and considerations for communications and marketing strategies.

Programme Update

A significant portion of the meeting is expected to focus on the ongoing Pride in Place Programme (PiPP). This programme, a £5 billion government initiative aimed at supporting community-focused regeneration, is in its second phase for areas including Crook North/Tow Law. The board will receive an update on the programme's progress, which may include the utilisation of capacity funding for quick win projects. The report pack may indicate that engagement with local communities and stakeholders has been carried out, with feedback potentially being largely positive. The programme aims to empower local people to shape their neighbourhoods and support local projects, with Crook North/Tow Law potentially set to receive up to £20 million over the next decade.

The engagement findings may highlight community desires for a safer, cleaner, and more active environment, with improvements to local infrastructure, regeneration of neglected sites, better facilities, and increased opportunities for community participation. Key issues raised may include the need for more activities for young people, improved sports and leisure facilities, community centres, and access to health services. Concerns about anti-social behaviour and the need for greater police presence and safer public spaces may also be prominent. The report pack may detail that a total of 1,686 participants have been engaged through various sessions and surveys.

The board will also receive an update on the progress of quick win projects. The report pack may indicate that fifteen applications have been received and nine already approved. These projects aim to address identified local needs, with examples including support for school holiday visits, the provision of safety kits, preparations for local events, and repairs to sports facilities. The meeting may also cover the development of a Board Member training and support programme, as well as marketing and communications arrangements.

Future Salary Charges for Operational Delivery

The board is scheduled to consider future salary charges for operational delivery. This follows a recommendation from the assessment panel for the Governance and Boundary Submission, which noted that the board should formally review future arrangements relating to operational delivery salary costs when the current commitment expires in November 2026.

Communications and Marketing

Discussions are anticipated regarding communications and marketing strategies for the Pride in Place Programme. Work may have been undertaken to develop a shared Marketing and Communications Officer role to support the delivery of the programme across County Durham. This role is intended to provide strategic and operational communications support, develop an overarching strategy, manage the programme's digital presence, and create promotional content. The aim is to ensure a consistent and professional approach to communications while allowing individual boards to reflect local priorities.

Correspondence Assessment Outcome: Crook North/Tow Law Neighbourhood Board and Boundary Submission

The meeting agenda may include the assessment outcome of correspondence concerning the Crook North/Tow Law Neighbourhood Board and its boundary submission. The report pack may indicate that the Governance and Boundary Submission for Crook North/Tow Law was successfully assessed and approved by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on 11 August 2026. The assessment panel may have confirmed that the arrangements met the majority of the requirements set out within the Pride in Place Programme guidance, enabling the release of grant determination letters and subsequent revenue funding payments. A condition may have been applied requiring all governance documentation to be published on an accessible website by 30 November 2026.

Quick Wins Update

An update on the Quick Wins programme is scheduled. This initiative may have a budget of £117,604 in capital funding and £135,000 in revenue funding. The report pack may indicate that fifteen applications have been received, with nine approved, five currently under review, and one unsuccessful, though alternative funding is being sought for that project. These quick win projects are designed to address identified local needs and may include initiatives such as support for community centres, safety equipment, event preparation, and sports club improvements.

Chair's and Vice-Chair's Updates

The meeting is also expected to include updates from the Chair and Vice-Chair. The Chair's update from a previous meeting may have mentioned efforts to strengthen young people's voice within the programme, with plans to arrange meetings with representatives from organisations such as Jack Drum Arts, Stoke the Flame, and Wolsingham School. The Chair may also have proposed holding a board away day to focus on agreeing a name and aim for the programme, reviewing feedback, prioritising actions, and understanding timelines.