Applications are now closed.
Application to become a Board Chair or Board Member have now closed.
The role of the Chair
The Chair will be a champion for Marsh Farm working closely with residents, the local MP Sarah Owen, businesses and community organisations to ensure local voices are heard and reflected in the investment and priorities for the area. They will be someone who can bring communities together to share their ideas in an open and collaborative way.
They will lead and direct £20 million in funding, a Neighbourhood Board for Marsh Farm will be established and led by a Chair who is independent of the council and party politics. This role is open to residents with a strong connection to the local community who live and/or work in the town, ideally within Marsh Farm. The Chair will provide strategic leadership to a long-term, place-based initiative focused on strengthening communities and creating a thriving neighbourhood.
The recruitment process for a Chair to lead the Neighbourhood Board for Marsh Farm, in Luton for the Pride in Place Programme is being led by the local Luton North MP, Sarah Owen and supported by Luton Council.
The Chair should have a deep connection to Marsh Farm and can be new to this kind of work.
The Chair will coordinate:
- the recruitment of the Neighbourhood Board with the support of Sarah Owen MP and the local council. Each board will oversee community engagement, shape a shared local vision, and guide the future investment into each of the respective areas
- the development of the Plan
- the delivery of the Plan
The Chair should be:
- engaged
- collaborative
- committed to driving the programme forward in line with the wishes of the community
It is expected that this is a voluntary role, similar to a school governor or charity trustee. However, to ensure the Board has the right leadership, a basic payment may be made from the programme’s capacity funding. This can only be used for candidates who would otherwise not be able to fulfil the position.
Expected time required to fulfil role
It is expected the Chair:
- alongside the council and the local MP, lead the recruitment of the Neighbourhood Board ensuring it includes an inclusive and representative selection of people from the local community
- will be required to make a commitment of two days per month
- will be required to attend quarterly Board meetings
- will be required to attend occasional development or engagement sessions
- will agree the agenda two weeks ahead of each Board Meeting
- will read all Board papers ahead of each meeting
- commit time between the date of appointment and 16th August 2026 to liaise with Luton Council and the local MP Sarah Owen to ensure the Board membership is agreed by this date
The Chair will be an initial four-year period (until the end of the financial year 2030), with an option to review after the first twelve months.
Board meetings will be held in person and where possible within Marsh Farm.
It is understood this work will need to be undertaken flexibility around existing commitments.
Who can apply
The Chair should be:
- someone who is from, living or working within Marsh Farm
- have a commitment to Marsh Farm and have a record of bringing people together in the area or in other roles they have
- Someone who leaves their ego at the door; this is about putting the view of residents first
The Chair should not be:
- a gate keeper or clique builder; the Chair should be able to bring together a range of voices
- seeking to push personal agendas – this is about bringing Marsh Farm together
- the only decision maker or expert in the room
- the day-to-day delivery lead; this is a strategic post
The Chair cannot be:
- an elected representative such as:
- an MP
- a local councillor
Skills and attributes of a good Chair:
- fair and balanced, ensuring that all voices are heard
- good at facilitating conversations, particularly when differences of opinion emerge
- open to learning, feedback and development, and an interest in mentoring and upskilling others
- welcoming, open and listens deeply to others
- calm under pressure and manages conflict well
- has time to prioritise the role
Support provided for the role
Support will be provided by Luton Council as the Accountable Body for the funding, and local MP Sarah Owen including:
- the recruitment of the Neighbourhood Board
- the development of the strategic priorities for Marsh Farm
- secretariat and governance support for the Board
Code of Conduct
The Chair will be required to sign-up to a Code of Conduct based on the Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles) and declare any conflicts of interests.
As vested members of the community, it is reasonable that the Chair will have interests that may indirectly benefit from the Board’s work. This does not preclude individuals from becoming Chair, but interests must be declared, and Chairs should recuse themselves from relevant decisions.
DBS Check
The Chair will be required to undertake a DBS check if one isn’t already held.
Neighbourhood Board
The Neighbourhood Board will:
- have at least eight members and no more than 15
- have a at least 75% of members who live or work within Marsh Farm
- members broadly reflecting the range and diversity of people who live in the area eg in relation to age, ethnicity, gender, faith, disability, and income levels
- include the local MP and at least one ward councillor
- have more residents and people who live or work in Marsh Farm than elected representatives
The Neighbourhood Board’s role is to:
- collectively lead on the development of the Pride in Place Plan for Marsh Farm
- decide how funding will be spent
- include people with a strong connection to the area such as:
- residents
- local businesses
- grassroots campaigners
- workplace representatives
- faith and community leaders
- other relevant organisations
The Neighbourhood Board will:
- work in partnership with the local MP and Luton Council to develop the Plan and distribute funding
All board members will have an equal right to vote on board issues.
The local MP and the local authority must approve the final board selection, which will include local residents.
The programme is:
The Pride in Place programme is aimed at regenerating neighbourhoods that have been held back by austerity, focussing on geographies of around 10,000 residents. The local MP, Sarah Owen will support the board and the community throughout the programme. Initially, Luton Council will support the process with the aim by the end of March 2028, the Board will be independent of the council.
The Pride in Place programme will award total funding of £20 million over the next 10 years. The Board will be responsible for delivering projects that the community identify within the Marsh Farm boundary that will make a real difference to the area in which they live.
To meet the needs of the community, the board will need to carry out extensive community engagement to find out what really matters to them. The local MP Sarah Owen and the council will support this process.
The guiding principle is for the long-term funding to support communities in shaping their place, and prioritising funding, based on extensive community engagement based on the overarching aims of the programme:
- stronger communities
- thriving places
- taking back control
Applications are now closed.
Application to become a Board Chair or Board Member have now closed.
How to apply
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Marsh Farm Neighbourhood Board, please click below.
Interviews for the Chair to take place*:
- Thursday 25th June: 3pm to 4.30pm
- Saturday 27th June: 10am to 1pm
- Thursday 2nd July: 6pm to 8pm
If you would like an informal discussion about the roles, please contact Sarah Owen MP sarah.owen.mp@parliament.uk or submit an enquiry here.
* Subject to Change
Confidentiality
The information you supply in your application form will only be used to help with the shortlisting and selection process for the Pride in Place Programme.
By completing and submitting an application form, you consent to Luton Council processing such personal data as may be necessary for the administration of the selection processes or meeting our obligations with the grant funding associated with the Pride in Place programme.
The information you supply will not be used in any other way and will be processed in accordance with your rights under the Data Protection Act 2018.