About the role
The Rhondda Fach is one of 284 places across the UK to receive up to £20 million over ten years as part of the UK government’s Pride in Place Programme aimed at building stronger communities, creating thriving places and empowering people to take back control.
To deliver the Pride in Place Programme, Neighbourhood Boards are being set up in every funded neighbourhood. Each Board will be led by an independent Chair – someone who can bring communities together to share their ideas in an open and collaborative way and provide executive leadership to guide the Board and ensure the effective delivery of this significant investment.
The Chair will act as a champion for the Rhondda Fach, organising engagement that reaches out into the community, to ensure decision-making is community-led. The Chair will provide strategic leadership, effective governance, transparency and accountability and will support collaboration between stakeholders, ensuring that the programme remains focused on its goals and is accountable to the community it serves. The Chair should have a deep connection to the area and can be new to this kind of work. What matters most is a commitment to seeing change through and improving the lives of those in their community.
The Chair will lead the process of recruiting and convening the Board, with the support of the local authority and the local MP. The Board will be responsible for developing a Pride in Place Plan for the area by November 2026, setting out a 10-year vision and an initial 4-year investment plan with investment priorities for driving positive change.
We are looking for an independent Chair who:
Essential
- Is from, living, or working in the Rhondda Fach Pride in Place Programme area, holds a prominent role in the community or has a passion for the place.
- Is deeply connected to the community and fiercely committed to making it an even better place to live.
- Has experience of working with a range of stakeholders including community groups, local authorities, businesses and the voluntary sector.
- Has experience of governance and board leadership with the ability to provide strategic oversight and ensure strong decision making.
- Has strong communication and facilitation skills with the ability to bring together diverse perspectives and build consensus to shape a collective vision for the future.
- Thinks laterally and creatively about solutions to problems and ways to draw in community voices.
- Will ensure that all voices are heard and that Board discussions are collaborative and is adept at finding consensus, navigating conflict calmly and impartially.
Desirable
- Project or programme management experience, particularly those involving regeneration, community development or local investment.
- Experience of overseeing significant public or private investment, including ensuring funding is used effectively and delivers measurable outcomes.
- Project or programme management experience with an understanding of how to oversee the strategic delivery of complex initiatives and managing risk.
The Chair cannot be an elected representative, such as a:
- Member of Parliament
- Member of the Senedd
- Local councillor
- Member of the Scottish Parliament
- Member of the Legislative Assembly
This is a voluntary role. However, to ensure that Neighbourhood Boards have the right leadership, and to open the position up to candidates who might otherwise be unable to put themselves forward, a small basic payment may be provided to remunerate Chair time.
The Chair will typically require a time commitment of a minimum of 4 Board meetings a year, involving meeting attendance and preparation plus additional development or engagement sessions as required. The role will however be more intensive in the first six months when the Chair will also need to commit time to liaise with the local MP and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to support the establishment of the Board and development of the Pride in Place plan.
The Chair will receive ongoing support from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council as the Accountable Body with responsibility for proper administration of financial affairs, particularly in respect of financial administration and transparency of governance.
If you think that this role might be for you, please complete an expression of interest form by emailing councilbusiness@rctcbc.gov.uk for a pack.
All expressions of interest must be submitted to councilbusiness@rctcbc.gov.uk by Friday 3rd April 2026.
Posted on 12/03/2026