Julia Weller has been appointed as the Independent Chair of the new Neighbourhood Board for New Addington North, as part of the government-funded £20m Pride in Place Programme.
Following a competitive recruitment and selection process involving local residents, Executive Mayor Jason Perry and Croydon East MP Natasha Irons, Julia was appointed on 2 March. She will now be leading the appointment of a resident-led Board to engage the community and put together plans to invest £20m locally over the next 10 years.
Julia Weller is a highly experienced local resident and community champion, currently working as Chief Executive of the Family Centre on Fieldway in New Addington. She is also Co-Chair of the existing community collaboration group known as ReNA (Renewing New Addington).
Julia said: “It is a privilege and an honour to be selected as the Pride in Place Board Chair. I believe that community-led leadership through the programme will give New Addington residents a real opportunity to have control over the important things that happen in their neighbourhood.
“It will enable community organisations to provide the right services for local people, putting power and resources directly in the hands of the community.”
The government allocated the Pride in Place Programme funding to New Addington North using a formula that looks at levels of deprivation and the needs of local communities, identifying the areas that need the most support and investment in its high streets and community spaces.
The Board will lead the development of a regeneration plan, setting out priorities based on what local people say matters most in New Addington and how they want the funding to be used.
The investment supports Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s commitment to restoring pride in the borough, supporting local businesses, and regenerating Croydon’s towns and district centres.
“Julia is a true community champion in New Addington and I know she will get the local community engaged and excited about this £20m project.
“I am delighted that New Addington North has been recognised for this long-term investment, which will help to fund the improvements needed to make the community thrive.”
Croydon East MP Natasha Irons MP added: “I am absolutely thrilled that Julia has agreed to chair New Addington’s Pride in Place neighbourhood board. She is an outstanding local leader who has consistently brought people together across our community to make positive change.
“The government’s Pride in Place Programme is about putting communities like New Addington first, with long-term funding and real power. I fought for this funding for New Addington because it has always been a place that stood on its own feet but just needed resources to back it up.
“Congratulations to Julia. I cannot wait to see what legacy our neighbourhood board will build.”
Residents and community representatives who would like to find out more about getting involved in the Pride In Place Programme and possibly joining the Neighbourhood Board are encouraged to email their interest to: prideinplace@croydon.gov.uk. More details about recruiting the Board will be made available soon.
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
