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Blakenall in Walsall has been chosen as one of 95 areas to be awarded a £20million government grant. But Blakenall ward member, Councillor Pete Smith, has forewarned that the community may not be in the ‘driving seat’ of deciding how the money will be spent. READ MORE: Everything to be decided by planners tonight - including new children's home This year the Labour government announced Pride in Place Impact funding which aims to target ‘in need’ areas across England, Scotland and Wales. The government said the scheme has three main objectives: community spaces, public places and high street revitalisation. First payments to local authorities are expected from November 2025, with the funding period running until March 2027. To decide on how the money will be spent, Pride of Place boards will be set up. Councillor Smith fears that the board in Blakenall will be made up of mostly ‘business leaders and professionals’, similar to the towns boards in Walsall , Bloxwich and Darlaston. Housing minister Steve Reed said spending will only be approved if Pride of Place boards have ‘genuinely engaged’ with their communities. Over recent weeks a fallout has rumbled on in Darlaston where a council-led board of decision-makers has been heavily criticised for ‘sidelining’ the residents of Darlaston. Councillor Smith said: “We have seen a less than satisfactory situation in Darlaston recently where there is a perception that decision making powers have been passed to a board of mainly business leaders and professionals, whose interests may not coincide with the folk living in the community. “Watching what is happening has put me and local folk in the Blakenall area on guard. I would be strongly opposed to a similar set-up.” The area designated to receive the funding is titled Blakenall South, all of which is enclosed within the current ward of Blakenall. Once the ward boundaries change after the local elections in May 2026, part of the designated area will lie just outside the boundary within Bloxwich East and Blakenall Heath ward. Councillor Smith added: “I am anxious as a ward councillor to see that this money is allocated in the spirit with which it is intended, which means the local community of Blakenall South. “What we do not want is a board dominated by professional and business do-gooders who might misguidedly believe that they know best what folk in this area need and want. “Whilst the professionals are to be respected for their skill levels and experience in their respective fields, they should be there to advise, not to decide. “Decision making should be undertaken with local people in the driving seat.” A spokesperson for Walsall Council said: “This investment is a major opportunity to drive regeneration and empower local residents. “The council is committed to ensuring that the board overseeing the funding genuinely reflects the Blakenall community. We await final government guidance, but neighbourhood boards will be central to decision-making, with the council acting as the accountable body. “Transparency and accountability will guide the programme. Governance arrangements will be set out in a cabinet report, and regular updates on spending and progress will be shared with the community.” Councillor Adam Hicken, portfolio holder for children’s and safer communities, said: “The Pride in Place programme is a significant opportunity for Blakenall, and we are determined to get it right. “We will not rush into making promises until all the facts and responsibilities are clear, but our commitment is to ensure local residents are properly represented and that every decision delivers real outcomes for the community.”
