Walcot East and Parks can have say in spending £20m from Government

Those who attend will find out how to get more involved in planning how the local Pride in Programme will move into active delivery over the course of the next year.
The meeting will take place at Holy Family School on Shaftesbury Avenue from 11am to 12:30pm and is open to all local residents.
Last year it was announced that the Government will invest £20m over a decade to transform neighbourhoods in Walcot East and Park North as part of the national Pride in Place Programme.
The neighbourhood Board has been recruited, but say it's now all hands to the pump as new working groups are being set up to consider issues like exploring routes and pathways to education and skills to help people reach their potential, understanding the facilities and support available to residents in the area, access to safe playparks and open spaces and culture and events.
It has now been confirmed that this Pride in Place project has been extended to cover all of the Walcot East, Park North and Park South community, bringing the benefits of the investment to thousands more residents.
South Swindon MP and Neighbourhood Board Member Heidi Alexander said: “I’m proud that Walcot and Parks have been given this transformative opportunity to bring about the changes that residents want.
“Residents have told me that they already love their community, and that there are many great things about living in the area. 
"However, they’ve also told me about the problems they experience and the facilities they wish they could access. I’m excited to see how residents will use this money to make Walcot and Parks a great place to live.”
Pride in Place investment is community-led. Decisions on how the money is spent are made by the Walcot & Parks Neighbourhood Board, made up of local residents and representatives from community organisations from across the area. 
New working groups will feed ideas into the Board about how best to spend the money.
The meeting on Saturday will invite residents share their ideas and to will recruit volunteers for the new working groups.
The feedback collected will help to shape the 10-year investment plan that needs to be submitted to Government in the coming months, enabling the project to start making residents’ ideas a reality.
Walcot & Parks Neighbourhood Board Chair Jessica Higgins said: “I would like to thank everyone who has already taken the time to share their ideas and experiences with us. 
"We have heard a huge amount already, but I know that there are many more people across Walcot East & Parks who we haven't heard from yet, and I really hope they will get involved.
"The goal of the Working Groups is to become more than just ideas - they will help the Board understand the priorities for the neighbourhood now, and over time provide an ongoing route for residents to contribute, challenge, give feedback and help us make sure the programme is delivering what our community actually needs and wants. 
"You don't need any special experience or expertise to take part; if you live in the area and care about your neighbourhood, your voice matters.”
 

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