The Pride in Place Programme is designed to empower local people to shape the future of their neighbourhoods, as part of a £5 billion nationwide initiative.
Pride in Place funding in Luton
The government has allocated up to £20 million over 10 years to each of these neighbourhood board areas:
The funding was secured by the town’s two local MPs.
- Rachel Hopkins – MP for Luton South and South Bedfordshire.
- Sarah Owen – MP for Luton North.
The funding can be spent by people who live in those communities on projects that will make a difference to them within the boundaries of these areas.
Neighbourhood Boards
Neighbourhood Boards will bring local people, businesses and community groups together to shape the future of their area.
A Neighbourhood Board for each area will be set up working in partnership with us and the local MPs. Support will also be provided by central government.
Boards will represent local residents. All members of the board, including the independent chair, will have strong connections with the area.
They will co-create a Pride in Place Plan with their community. This will set out how to spend up to £20 million over the 10 years of the programme.
Neighbourhood Boards will work towards the three strategic objectives of the programme:
- stronger communities
- thriving places
- taking back control
The programme is designed to be:
- community led
- flexible
- long-term
- supportive
Further information about the programme and the types of projects that can be found in the government's recently published Pride in Place prospectus – GOV.UK.
Apply to be the chair or a board member
We are supporting local MPs, Rachel Hopkins and Sarah Owen, to recruit the independent chairs for the Central Luton and Marsh Farm Neighbourhood Boards.
If you have strong connections within either the Central Luton or Marsh Farm neighbourhood boundaries, you can apply to be the independent chair or a board member.
Central Luton Neighbourhood Board
Marsh Farm Neighbourhood Board
Applications for Independent Chair close on 15 June 2026. Applications for Board Member close on 28 June 2026.