Baroness Hilary Armstrong of Hill Top, Chair of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON), was in Mablethorpe on Friday 19th June to meet with local residents, community groups, and councillors and talk about the town’s future.
Baroness Armstrong’s visit comes after it was announced that Mablethorpe will receive up to £20million in funding through the government’s Pride in Place programme, starting from April 2027.
The Independent Commission for Neighbourhoods are making the case for a new focus on neighbourhoods in national policy as a means of addressing multiple disadvantage, regenerating communities and enabling government to achieve its mission objectives.
During the event, which took place at the Campus for Future Living, Baroness Armstrong and her fellow commissioners were updated on the positive impact investment has had to date in the town through Town Deal funding.
In addition, the roundtable brought together key stakeholders including Independent Commission for Neighbourhoods, East Lindsey District Council, Mablethorpe and Sutton Town Council, and a wide range of local charities and community groups. The event included a presentation from Naomi Wilkinson-Baker, Director of Operations, Station Leisure and Learning Centre, and a facility tour of The Campus for Future Living hosted by Hannah Taylor-Dales, Head of Business Development, ACIS Group.
The visit coincides with community engagement to shape Mablethorpe’s Pride in Place programme which is gathering meaningful feedback, with various ways for people to have their say. This includes an online survey, conversation cards, community conversations, events, and more.
Further progress includes recruitment for a community focused Chair of the Mablethorpe Neighbourhood Board, with an announcement confirming appointment of the Chair expected this summer.
Baroness Hilary Armstrong, Chair of the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON) said: “Policy making must be informed by the experience of residents on the ground. That’s why ICON has been conducting dozens of visits across the country, seeking to learn directly from communities.
“As part of this commitment, I was delighted to visit Mablethorpe. I saw firsthand the energy driving the town’s regeneration, not least at the Campus for Future Living.
“Pride in Place has the potential to build on this, putting the local community at the heart of change. I would strongly encourage local residents to find out how they can get involved in the programme.”
Councillor Craig Leyland, Leader, East Lindsey District Council said: “It was fantastic to welcome Baroness Armstrong and her colleagues to Mablethorpe as the work to develop the town’s Pride in Place programme gets underway.
“The event provided the community with an opportunity to share an insight into the town, its opportunities and the challenges, and discuss ways that the funding could make a difference.
“We are at a key point in our Pride in Place journey in Mablethorpe with an absolutely clear focus on community engagement, and it was great to hear Baroness Armstrong and her team’s thoughts as we move forward.”
Hannah Taylor-Dales, Head of Business Development at Acis Group said: “We were delighted to host Baroness Hilary Armstrong and the Independent Commission for Neighbourhoods at the Campus for Future Living and showcase the important role that this inclusive and welcoming space plays in our community.
“Having recently marked our first anniversary, we were pleased to be able to talk to the Baroness and her fellow commissioners about the difference the Campus has made in our first twelve months.
“It was also wonderful that Baroness Armstrong was able to visit while the Adult Autism Group were in attendance, and be able to meet members of our Community Garden Group, who help make the Campus such a vibrant place for local people.
Launched in September 2024, the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods is reviewing the current state of neighbourhoods across England.
The Commission is chaired by Baroness Armstrong and supported by a small, cross-party group of experts, practitioners and others with a keen interest in neighbourhood issues.
The Government’s Pride in Place programme has been set up with the aims of thriving places, building stronger communities, and taking back control. Through Pride in Place, Mablethorpe will receive up to £20 million in government funding over ten years, starting from 2027.
The programme will be overseen by Mablethorpe Neighbourhood Board, led by the new Chair, which will bring together local people as well as representatives from organisations such as the police, East Lindsey District Council, and other partners.
Community engagement is key to the success of the programme and there will be opportunities for local people to get involved in the months and years ahead.
Find out more about the Pride in Place Programme here: Together for Mablethorpe