A Biddick Hall resident with a passion for community improvement has been appointed to lead plans for multimillion-pound investment in the neighbourhood.
Tracey Stephenson has been appointed Chair of the newly-established Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board. The Board will play a key role in shaping a long-term vision for the area, which has been awarded up to £20m of government regeneration funding.
The funding will support investment in the neighbourhood over a 10-year period from 2027, with a focus on building stronger communities, creating thriving places and empowering local people.
Tracey will chair a Board made up of representatives from across the community, including local residents, schools, the Family Hub, the Member of Parliament, councillors and partner organisations. Claire Finlay has been appointed as Vice Chair.
The appointment marks an important milestone in the development of the programme, which is designed to put local people at the heart of decision making and ensure investment reflects the priorities of residents.
Tracey, who has extensive experience in the voluntary, community and business sectors, said: “I’m delighted to be appointed Chair of the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board for Biddick Hall. Our board is made up mainly of local residents, giving us a fantastic opportunity to work together to shape a shared vision for our community.
“Building on the views and ideas shared through community consultation, we will develop short, medium and long-term plans that reflect the priorities and ambitions of local people and will make a lasting difference for Biddick Hall.”
A series of community engagement events have already taken place across Biddick Hall, gathering ideas and feedback from local people about the future of their area.
The Board’s first meeting is expected to take place in September, when members will begin considering the evidence and ideas gathered through community engagement activity and developing a long-term investment plan.
Councillor Susan Sybenga, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council: “This is an exciting moment for Biddick Hall. The appointment of Tracey as Chair marks the beginning of the next chapter in a programme that will see local people driving plans for their neighbourhood’s future.
“This funding presents a unique opportunity to support projects and improvements that matter most to residents, helping to create a stronger, more vibrant community for years to come.
“We look forward to working alongside Tracey, Claire and the Board as they develop a shared vision that reflects the pride, ambition and potential of Biddick Hall.”
Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields, said: “I’m delighted that the Neighbourhood Board is now in place. My team and I have worked with community partners since I secured the funding with the Government last September to inform residents in the area that we wanted to hear their views and ideas and to ask them to step forward to be Board members.
“The public’s feedback and engagement has been fantastic and shows just how keen people are to play an active part in making Pride in Place a success.
“I’m still working with Tracey and Claire to arrange some evening engagement events and I’m very excited to be part of the Board myself as the ideas we will be asked to consider have so much community potential and value. We have some very tight deadlines to meet and lots to do but to see this programme get to this point has been a joy.
“Thank you to each and every resident who has spoken to me and the team, emailed me, phoned my office and sent wonderful letters, full of hope and great suggestions. This programme and this funding is very different – it is yours and I will do my utmost to support you every step of the way to get the very best from it.”
Further information about the Pride in Place programme and future opportunities for residents to get involved will be shared as plans progress.
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