Lupset Pride in Place holds inaugural meeting as part of £20m regeneration project
An organisation set up to deliver a £20m regeneration programme for a Wakefield community has held its inaugural meeting.
Community leaders, residents and local groups came together the first Lupset Pride in Place board meeting at Jubilee Hall Community Centre on Friday
The event marked the beginning of a partnership aimed at shaping a brighter future for the area.
In September last year, Lupset and Featherstone were chosen to each receive an annual grant of £2m over the next decade as part of the Pride in Place project.
A key feature of the project is the creation of neighbourhood boards made up of people with strong ties to the area.
The meeting opened with introductions from board chair Simon Topham and Simon Lightwood, MP for Wakefield and Rothwell, who provided background on the programme and its role in bringing together local voices to identify priorities and drive positive change in the area.
The board agreed to establish a ‘people’s panel’ which will act as a resident advisory group and members also elected Lupset resident Georgina Darling as deputy chair.
Paul Birdsall, headteacher of Snapethorpe Primary School, spoke about the experiences of local children and families and the importance of creating opportunities for young people to thrive.
Hilary Mitchell of Jubilee Hall and Berni O’Brien of St George’s Community Centre highlighted the strengths, resilience and community spirit that exist within Lupset, alongside challenges including anti-social behaviour and the need for greater opportunities for local residents.
Inspector Paul Fraser provided an update on neighbourhood policing and ongoing efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime.
The meeting was also attended by Gareth Thomas, Reform UK’s newly-elected councillor for Wakefield West, and representatives from organisations including social housing provider Vico Homes.
Mr Topham said: “A key aspect of the activity over the next two months is to seriously engage with local children and young people whose views on the future of Lupset must be heard.
“It is an amazing opportunity and I’m honoured to be involved.”
Mr Lightwood commented: “The strength of Lupset lies in its people and its community organisations.
“It was fantastic to see so many partners around the table, committed to working together and determined to build on the area’s strengths.
“I’m proud to be a part of this and look forward to seeing how the board’s work progresses.”