The Government-backed £20 million Pride in Place programme for the Heavitree and Whipton areas of Exeter has moved a step closer to delivery with the appointment of an independent chair to lead the neighbourhood board that will decide how the money is spent.
Community leadership to shape a decade of investment
Andy Mulcock has been named chair of the Neighbourhood Board, which will bring together residents, councillors, local organisations and partners to co-design a Pride in Place Plan setting priorities for the next ten years. The initiative emphasises resident-led decision-making, with the board required to show that any plan genuinely reflects local people’s views.
Exeter City Council will establish the Neighbourhood Board and is running the recruitment for its members. Board members will work alongside residents to identify local needs and develop proposals that direct the funding across the two recognised neighbourhoods.
Local experience chosen to lead delivery
Mr Mulcock, a long-standing resident of the area since 1987, has a track record of voluntary and community roles across Exeter. According to the announcement, his previous involvement includes community projects, church-based initiatives, leadership networks and governance roles in local schools and charities.
"As a longstanding resident, I feel privileged and excited to be appointed to the Board. I believe my many years of experience working on community projects in Exeter will help guide this great initiative for Whipton and Heavitree."
The appointment signals an explicit intention to place local knowledge and leadership at the heart of spending decisions for the neighbourhoods. The board will be tasked with ensuring that the Pride in Place Plan mirrors the needs and ambitions of the community.
What happens next and who can get involved
The council will invite applications for board membership from residents and local organisations. Those appointed will join councillors and partners to finalise the priorities and decide how the investment is allocated across projects and services that benefit Heavitree and Whipton.
- Investment: £20 million over ten years
- Focus areas: Heavitree and Whipton neighbourhoods
- Leadership: Independent Neighbourhood Board chaired by Andy Mulcock
- Participation: Residents, councillors and local organisations to be recruited to the board
Information on how to apply for the Neighbourhood Board is available via Exeter City Council. The board will have the authority to decide what is included in the Pride in Place Plan, subject to demonstrating a genuine reflection of local residents’ priorities.
| Programme element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding | £20 million |
| Timescale | 10 years |
| Geographic focus | Heavitree and Whipton, Exeter |
| Decision-making body | Neighbourhood Board chaired by Andy Mulcock |
For residents, the appointment represents an early sign that the programme aims to be community-led rather than council-imposed. How the board recruits members and consults neighbourhoods will determine whether the investment translates into widely supported local improvements.
