How it works
Published
Tuesday 10 March, 2026
Updated
Wednesday 27 May, 2026
The neighbourhood board
The neighbourhood board will make the central decisions for the Pride in Place plan.
The board will lead the development and delivery of the 10-year vision and investment plan for Sheppey East. It will include a wide group of residents, local businesses, community groups, and faith leaders.
The board will:
- decide how to spend the funding
- shape local priorities and oversees their delivery
- bring local people together
The chair of the board
The independent chair, Garry Ratcliffe, will lead the neighbourhood board.
The chair will:
- champion the local area and provide strategic leadership
- make sure the board remains community-led
- promote working together and focus on local needs
The MP's role
The local MP for the Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Kevin McKenna, sits on the neighbourhood board.
His role is to:
- act as champion and enabler for the local community
- bring parliamentary insight ad help unblock barriers
- make sure the community's voice is heard at a national level
The council's role
The council is the legally accountable body for the programme. It will:
- provide governance insight, oversight and structure
- work closely with the neighbourhood board, MP and chair
- make sure the programme follows the law and handles the money responsibly
