Residents urged 'make voice heard' on £20m government fund
ROTHERHAM is set to benefit from a £20m government funding pot – and local people are being urged to make their voices heard “loud and clear” on how it is spent.
Sarah Champion MP has announced that Rotherham will be one of the first areas in Britain to benefit from new funding through the Government’s Pride in Place Scheme.
The scheme will deliver £20m of funding in Rotherham over the next ten years.
The investment will be allocated and managed by a new neighbourhood board, made up of local people, which will award funding and manage the delivery of Pride in Place projects.
Sarah said: “I am so excited about this funding.
“Pride in Place will make a real difference, supporting projects that will create jobs and opportunities, improve community facilities and green spaces, help make our streets cleaner and safer, and support the organisations that bring our community together.
“Pride in Place will try something new – it will be built from the ground up to ensure the things that matter to local people will be the focus of the projects.
“This is Rotherham’s opportunity to say what it needs, and have the money to pay for it.”
Pride in Place has been designed to allow residents, businesses, and community groups to deliver on Rotherham residents’ priorities.
As Rotherham’s Member of Parliament, Sarah will help to appoint the Neighbourhood Board, its Chair and oversee the projects.
Sarah, who will also serve on the board, has launched a major survey inviting residents to share their ideas and their priorities.
Sarah said: “I want to make sure local people’s voices are heard loud and clear throughout this process.
“I will be responsible for making sure the board that runs the scheme is representative of the local community, the projects funded are the result of the community’s priorities, and that the investments are transparent and accountable to the people of Rotherham.
“To do that, it is really important for me to hear from as many people as possible about the things that matter to you and about the local people who you think can help to put Rotherham’s views front and centre.
“I am writing to every household in the Pride in Place area inviting people to share their ideas and I hope people will take a few minutes to let me know how they want this money to be spent.”
Sarah is currently working with RMBC to recruit a chair and board members for the new Neighbourhood Board, with delivery of Pride in Place funding expected to begin by the end of 2026.
Sarah’s survey can be completed here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/rotherhampip.