Community champions wanted to lead city revamp

Community champions are needed to lead independent boards to regenerate two city neighbourhoods.

In September 2025, the government announced £40m for Peterborough as part of the Pride in Place programme, with the Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland area and the Orton Malborne and Orton Goldhay area due to get £2m each year for a decade.

The board leaders chosen will be expected to bring together residents and businesses to draw up a long-term upgrade plan.

Peterborough's Labour MP, Andrew Pakes, said: "The independent chair will help be a voice for the programme and help recruit other local members as well as shape how we invest the funding."

The boards will consist of locals, community groups, charities, health representatives, business owners, faith groups and MPs.

Peterborough City Council's Labour leader, Shabina Qayyum, said: "The aim of the project is to put local people at the heart of decision-making, supporting neighbourhood pride."

Sam Carling, Labour MP for North West Cambridgeshire, which includes the Ortons, said: "This funding for Orton Malborne and Orton Goldhay has the potential to make a lasting positive impact and ensure Orton is a fantastic place to live and work."

The funding will only be approved if community groups and local organisations have been involved in deciding how the money is spent, the government has said.

The closing date for applications is 6 February. More information can be found on the council's website.

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