New Neighbourhood Board appointed for Ribbleton Pride in Place

Chair of Ribbleton Pride in Place, Cheryl Taylor, is pleased to announce the appointment of the new Neighbourhood Board.

Eleven members have been selected through an open recruitment process from across Ribbleton. Together, they reflect a broad range of perspectives and connections across the community, with backgrounds spanning housing, health, children and young people, community organisations, arts and culture, business, and the voluntary sector.

The Board will play a key role in guiding the Pride in Place programme and ensuring that local priorities inform future investment in the area

Local insight will shape the next phase of Ribbleton Pride in Place.

Alongside Chair Cheryl Taylor, Preston MP Sir Mark Hendrick and Ribbleton Councillor Pat Varty, the Board now includes:

• Naeem Badat

• Joanne Afrin Black

• Sian Coulton

• John Ekin

• Andie Hogan

• Jeni Kelly

• Sultan Mukhtar

• Jeanette Smalley

• Lesley-Ann Stickley

• Mark Tierney

• Geoff Tyson

  
  

Welcoming the new appointments, Cheryl Taylor said:

“I am delighted to welcome our new Board members. The range of backgrounds and perspectives represented on the Board will be a real strength as we begin this important work together. Our focus now is on listening to the community, understanding local priorities and building a shared vision for Ribbleton's future."

Preston MP, Sir Mark Hendrick described the appointments as a positive sign for partnership working:

“A localised diverse board will make better decisions and place the residents at it's heart. Ribbleton has many people and groups already doing valuable work. Bringing more of that experience onto the board will help connect ideas, avoid duplication and make sure local effort is focused where it can have the greatest regenerational impact.”

A community survey has already been launched to gather views on what people would like to see improved across Ribbleton. The findings will help the Board identify priorities and inform future investment in the area. We want to hear from as many people as possible. Residents can continue to  share their views by completing the survey through the Ribbleton Pride in Place website.

Ribbleton Councillor Pat Varty added:

“Ribbleton’s strength comes from its people. We want residents to feel that their experience is welcome and that their voice can shape what happens.”

The Board is also looking to appoint a Youth Representative to the Board to ensure that younger people are directly involved in the programme's work. Details of the recruitment process will be announced in due course.

The appointment of the Board marks an important milestone for Pride in Place. Over the coming months, survey feedback and wider community engagement will help identify priorities and develop plans for the future of the neighbourhood.