Volunteers sought to help regenerate deprived areas

Residents have been invited to help shape two regeneration projects across Peterborough.

In September, the government announced £40m for the city as part of the Pride in Place programme, to be spent on improving two deprived areas.

Jonathan Jelly, MBE, has been appointed to chair the Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland area, while Ejaz Moghul will chair the Orton Malborne and Orton Goldhay area. Each area will get £2m each year for a decade.

Peterborough City Council is seeking volunteer board members to help shape the transformation of these areas alongside the chosen champions.

Jelley said: "I am really looking forward to hearing from applicants and then seeing the board make a positive difference in Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland."

Moghul added: "We want people who know their neighbourhoods and understand what matters to residents."

Peterborough's Labour MP, Andrew Pakes, said: "These estates have been crying out for support for too long. But the important thing is that the community will be in charge of deciding how this money is used, and for that to happen, we need great community representatives to step forward."

Labour's North-West Cambridgeshire MP, Sam Carling, said: "The Pride in Place funding is a real opportunity for the Ortons - and it's important that the people who know these communities best are the ones helping to shape how it's used.

"No formal experience is needed - just a genuine connection to the community and a desire to see it improve."

The council said interested members must either live or work in the area and highlight their community passions and any examples of how they have supported others or contributed locally.

Applications can be made through the council's website.

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