MP to Host Pride in Blacon Community Event to Discuss £20 Million Investment

Local Member of Parliament Samantha Dixon is inviting Blacon residents to attend a community event to discuss £20 million investment in the area.

It will be taking place on Saturday 14th February, from 10:30am to 12:00pm, at Matthew Henry Evangelical Church, Nevin Road, Blacon, Chester, CH1 5RS. Residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the funding, ask questions, and hear about the next steps in the process – including the creation of a neighbourhood community board to help shape decisions.

Last year, Samantha Dixon secured £2 million a year for 10 years for the people of Blacon as part of the Government’s new Pride in Place Programme. Blacon was selected as one of over 330 areas across the country to pioneer a new approach that puts local people in charge of how public money is spent on local projects.

Commenting ahead of the event, Ms Dixon said: 

“This is a great opportunity to discuss this important investment and what it could mean for Blacon. The whole point of this funding is that the community decides how every penny is spent, so it’s vital that we hear people’s voices, ideas and thoughts. I would like to thank everyone who has already taken the time to complete the survey and share their views. 

“Blacon is a fantastic place and reading the surveys that have already been returned, it’s clear how many residents have real pride in their area. I want as many residents as possible to get involved, whether that’s by coming along to the event or by completing the survey if they haven’t already. This is a huge opportunity for Blacon, and I’m really looking forward to hearing what people have to say on 14th February.” 

The Pride in Place Programme is designed to understand what gives people pride in their area and to empower communities with the funding to deliver improvements that matter most to them.

The upcoming event is part of the wider community engagement process and follows the distribution of a survey to all households in Blacon, asking residents to share their ideas and priorities for the investment. This outreach also includes engagement with local schools, with surveys being shared with both primary and high schools to ensure young people’s voices are heard. The deadline for returning the household survey has been extended until mid-February to allow more people to have their say.

Residents are encouraged to attend the event and to complete and return the survey if they have not already done so.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Samantha’s office on:

samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk

... or by calling:

01244 343 229

Pictured - Local Member of Parliament Samantha Dixon.