Next phase of Pride in Place begins with Wirral Board appointments

08 April 2026

From left: The new Pride in Place Chairs - Liam Kelly (Central Birkenhead), Jennifer Allinson (Woodchurch), and Nicola Fenton (Seacombe).

The Pride in Place programme in Wirral has taken a major step forward with the appointment of independent Chairs to lead new Neighbourhood Boards in Central Birkenhead, Seacombe and Woodchurch - the three areas set to benefit from a combined £60 million investment over the next decade.

The Government’s Pride in Place programme places communities at the centre of shaping local priorities, with each neighbourhood receiving up to £20 million to invest in improvements identified by residents, from enhancing high streets and green spaces to supporting local organisations and essential services.

To ensure the Boards are rooted in genuine local knowledge, Wirral’s MPs - Alison McGovern MP (Birkenhead), Dame Angela Eagle MP (Wallasey) and Matthew Patrick MP (Wirral West) - led the process for recommending an independent Chair for their respective areas, in line with national guidance.

Following the application process announced in January, which attracted a number of highcalibre expressions of interest from key community figures, the confirmed appointments are:

Woodchurch – Jennifer Allinson
Brings established local connections and experience working with community organisations across the Woodchurch estate.
Seacombe – Nicola Fenton
Director of Diversity Hub CIC, supporting residents through community learning, local services and volunteer-led activity at the heart of Seacombe.
Central Birkenhead – Liam Kelly
Co-founder of Make CIC and contributor to several grassroots local groups, bringing long-standing community experience in Central Birkenhead.

The three Chairs bring deeply rooted local connections, experience and community insight from their areas. Their role will be to convene, guide and support the Neighbourhood Boards as the programme moves from planning into delivery.

Over the coming weeks, each Chair will work alongside their local MP, community organisations and the council to:

Establish the Neighbourhood Board, bringing together residents, local groups and partners
Develop a 10year Investment Plan, shaped through engagement with local people and setting out priorities, outcomes and projects for the area
Ensure local people remain central to decisionmaking, reflecting the programme’s commitment to communityled leadership

Throughout this process there will be opportunities for residents, community organisations, businesses and grassroots groups to get involved - either as members of the Board or through wider engagement activity.

Each Chair will appoint a wider group of local people, including residents, businesses, workplace representatives, community leaders and faith groups, to help shape the area’s longterm Pride in Place Plan. Each area must submit its Investment Plan to Government by Winter 2026.

The initial phases of the Pride in Place programme are as follows:

Spring 2026 - Neighbourhood Boards to be established
Summer 2026 - Boards confirm final membership and submit any proposals to alter area boundaries
Winter 2026 –Neighbourhood Boards submit their regeneration plan to Government for assessment and approval
Spring 2027 - Government expected to approve plans and release the first substantive delivery funding, marking the beginning of the delivery phase

In partnership with local MPs, the council will support the newly appointed chairs in convening the Neighbourhood Boards, as well as acting initially as the Accountable Body for the programme as the new Boards are formed.

Government guidance then sets out a pathway for Boards to move towards more communityled delivery models by around year three, with some expected to transition into independent organisations such as a community interest company, community benefit society or charity.

If you live or work in Birkenhead, Seacombe or Woodchurch and would like to help shape how this funding is spent - or are interested in being part of a Neighbourhood Board - please contact: prideinplace@wirral.gov.uk, as well as keeping an eye on social channels for more information in the coming weeks.