Charity leader set to oversee town's £20m spend

A charity leader and trustee has been appointed to lead Bilston's Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board to oversee the distribution of £20m in funding for the area.

Josie Kelly has more than 33 years experience of working in the charity sector and supporting local people and communities, City of Wolverhampton Council said.

Kelly is chief executive of Wolverhampton charity Access to Business and a longstanding trustee of Wolverhampton Central Youth Theatre. She will hold an independent role on the Bilston board.

The council said the £20m in government funding will span 10 years and will go towards "visible improvements and long-term regeneration, designed with and for residents".

The fund paid for the return of Bilston carnival last Saturday, for the first time in 18 years.

Kelly, who had been acting as chair under the programme's previous names Bilston Long Term Plan and Plan for Neighbourhoods, said she was "thrilled" to to take on the role, saying the funding would make a real impact to the area.

The board is made up of local people who live in or are invested in the future of the area, the council said.

"I am proud that Bilston has a committed and inclusive board that has engaged with local residents, communities and businesses to develop the Bilston Pride in Place plan to deliver interventions, programmes and events that local people have asked for and will and proud of," Kelly said.

"The board are committed to ensuring that local people are fully involved and engaged throughout the project to ensure that the positive impact in Bilston extends beyond the lifetime of the programme."

Councillor Linda Leach, cabinet member for adults, and also a board member, said Kelly brought a "wealth of experience and community understanding" that would be invaluable as the ambitious funding programme continued.

Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East, said the return of the carnival was a "fantastic example of the pride, community spirit and ambition that exists in our town".

"This is an exciting opportunity to build on Bilston's strengths, celebrate everything that makes our town special," he said.

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