THE BOARD responsible for helping shape Hattersley’s future after it was awarded £20 million of funding has been put in place.
The area was a major beneficiary of the government’s Pride in Place programme.
Now after Laura Nicholas was appointed as chair of the neighbourhood committee, which will decide where the money will be spent, its full make-up has been revealed.
Jonathan Reynolds MP and the three Councillors for Hattersley – Labour’s Jacqueline Owen and Reform UK’s Allan Hopwood and Greg McNally – will be on.
However, the Reverend Sam Durdant-Hollamby, of St Barnabas’ Church and its families pastor Louise Britton, who is vice-chair, are also included.
Director of Hattersley Projects Luke Moss, Oluwatosin Lanlehin Sotubo of Ark of Hope, business owner Jo Booth, community figures Michael Murphy, Amy Parkin and Connor Higham, and Hattersley FC’s Gareth Howell, are also part of the decision-making process.
Now they will identify issues and priorities and work with Tameside Council and Mr Reynolds to develop the Regeneration Plan.
They will also tell how people will use their local knowledge, skills, experience and allocated funding to deliver for their communities and as well s overseeing their plan identify opportunities to bring in additional investment.
A meeting of Tameside Council’s executive cabinet on Wednesday, September 30, will also be told how Laura Nicholas was appointed char.
Documents state: “Following this public call for expressions of interest, a total of six applications were received.
“These applications were then evaluated and scored against a set of criteria and followed eligibility guidance outlined in the programme prospectus.
“The criteria for assessment required applicants to demonstrate how motivated they were and what experience, knowledge and skills they could bring to the role.
“Following a review and assessment against these criteria, a ‘top three’ were identified, who then met with the MP Jonathan Reynolds and Tameside Council leader, who made the final decision on the successful candidate.
“Following this process Laura Nicholas, who is a long-term local resident and has strong roots in the local community, was appointed to the role of chair subject to approval by executive cabinet.”