Paul Smith named as chairperson for Hartcliffe Pride in Place

After a competitive application process, Paul Smith, former local councillor for Whitchurch Park and Elim Housing’s chief executive, has been selected as chairperson for the Hartcliffe Pride in Place programme. Paul will work with residents to drive forward the delivery of the scheme which will see up to £20 million invested in the area over the next 10 years, bringing about changes for local residents.

As chairperson, Paul will advocate for the interests, needs, and goals of the Hartcliffe community, facilitate the formation of a Neighbourhood Board, and contribute to the creation of a strategic vision and investment plan for the local area.

Paul brings experience to the role, having served a long career in both housing and charitable sectors within Bristol and at a national level. He grew up in Hartcliffe and was a councillor there for 11 years.

The application and selection process for the position was co-created with residents from the community. Local people were also part of the interview panel alongside councillor Heather Mack, deputy leader of Bristol City Council and Karin Smyth MP.

Comments

Paul Smith, chairperson of the Hartcliffe Pride in Place Programme, said: “It is a great honour to be selected to work alongside local residents to generate the best possible outcomes for the area.

“Pride in Place is an important foundation to build upon to bring more resources into Hartcliffe and to transfer more power to local people.

“I also have the support of my employer, Places For People, to ensure I have the time and assistance to fulfil the role.”

Cllr Heather Mack, deputy leader of Bristol City Council, said: “I welcome Paul into the role and I am confident that he will represent the voices, needs and ambitions of the Hartcliffe community. I look forward to working with him as his work progresses.

“This is an exciting start for the Pride in Place programme and marks the beginning of genuine, community-led change, where residents have the opportunity to shape the future of their neighbourhood together.”

Karin Smyth, MP for South Bristol, said: “I am delighted that Paul Smith will be the Chair of the Hartcliffe Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board. In the many years I have worked with Paul, I have seen how driven he is by his pride in Hartcliffe and its people.

“He has a strong record of proven delivery and his ambition for this project will ensure that the £20 million committed by the Labour Government will make a real difference.

“Ever since it was first announced that Hartcliffe would receive that investment through Pride in Place, I have been heartened by the level of engagement from across the community. Too many schemes of the past have imposed solutions on communities without meaningfully consulting them.

“Pride in Place is about doing things differently and harnessing the talent and potential in places that have been overlooked for too long.

“With Paul as Chair, and with the recruitment of the other members of the Neighbourhood Board still to come, I am confident that Pride in Place will be able to deliver a lasting legacy that people across this community can be truly proud of.”

Future progress

Applications for the Neighbourhood Board will open in May, with expectations of appointments in July, and a full plan in November, which will include a vision statement alongside a four-year investment plan.

Image: Bristol City Council