В Хилфилдс утвердили председателя совета по реализации программы обновления на 20 млн фунтов

Big update for ambitious £20m boost for Hillfields It is one of three areas in the city that has been selected for the scheme A £20m project to boost life for locals in Hillfields has taken a leap forward. It has been revealed that Rashid Bhayat has been appointed chair of the new Hillfields Pride in Place Board, which be championing what has been described as an ambitious programme of long-term investment and community-led regeneration in the area. Under the government's Pride in Place programme, Hillfields was identified as one of three areas in the city to benefit from a £20m pot. READ MORE: Every road change that will impact anyone going to the Coventry Building Society Arena READ MORE: Welcome back to the big time: Sky Blue Army takes over the Emirates - in pictures Now, over the next ten years, applications can be made for projects to be paid for with the funding. The aim is to get locals involved in what the money is spent on and Mr Bhayat, who has deep personal and professional roots in Hillfields, is keen to get the project underway. "I am honoured to accept the invitation from the Panel to act as the Chair for the Hillfields Pride in Place Programme," he said. “For generations, my family have lived in the area, so it means a lot to me to be able to influence positive change for our community. Having spent my entire working and personal life in the area, I am aware of the challenges we face, but also the genuine sense of community that we see across Hillfields. “This funding is important to us all. I look forward to working alongside the local board, local authority and the MP to ensure that we deliver a meaningful programme of change that is timely, transparent and led by the people of Hillfields." The new chairman and the board will work with Coventry South's MP, Zarah Sultana, to come up with the plan. "Hillfields is a brilliant community with enormous strength, pride and potential, but for too long people here have seen decisions made about their neighbourhood without having enough power over those decisions themselves." she said. “Pride in Place must be different. This is an opportunity for residents to help determine what investment in Hillfields looks like and where it can make the greatest difference. Whether that is improving public spaces, supporting community facilities, strengthening our local economy or tackling the issues residents tell us matter most. “I am delighted that Rashid has agreed to chair the Hillfields board. He knows this community, he has spent his life serving it, and he understands both its challenges and its tremendous strengths. “I look forward to working with Rashid, local residents, community organisations and Coventry City Council to make sure this programme is genuinely driven by Hillfields and delivers lasting improvements that people can see and feel in their everyday lives. The first set of plans for the funding have to be submitted by March 2027. Sign up for CoventryLive newsletters to stay up to date with the latest news across Coventry and Warwickshire. Subscribers can receive morning and evening newsletters with the latest headlines from across Coventry, including Longford, Earlsdon, Tile Hill and Willenhall. Want to stay up to date with the latest events, restaurant openings, family attractions and more across Coventry and Warwickshire? Sign up for our email newsletter HERE. Join CoventryLive on WhatsApp for the latest headlines and breaking news from across Coventry. Sign up HERE.