Plan explainer

The Pride in Place Plan, in two parts

Areas are not asked for one giant ten-year plan. They are asked for a 10-year vision that sets direction, and a 4-year investment plan that commits money to projects. Getting the difference right saves a lot of rework.

10 years

Vision horizon

4 years

Investment period

Up to £20m

Funding per area

Walk the 10-year vision journey Prepare the 4-year investment plan

Side by side

10-year vision vs 4-year investment plan

Two documents, two jobs. The vision explains where the neighbourhood is going; the investment plan explains what gets funded next.

	10-year vision	4-year investment plan
Purpose	Describes the long-term change the neighbourhood wants over ten years.	Commits specific projects and spend for the first four years.
Time horizon	Ten years, reviewed as the neighbourhood changes.	Four years, refreshed for the next period.
Level of detail	Themes, outcomes and direction. Written for residents.	Named projects, costs, milestones, risks and delivery owners.
Main audience	The community first, partners second.	The accountable body and government assurance.
Sign-off	Board approval, then published locally.	Board approval plus accountable body assurance, on the official form.

Roles

Who does what

Most delays come from an unclear split between the Board and the accountable body. Agree this in writing early.

Neighbourhood Board

Sets the priorities, agrees the vision and approves the investment plan. Made up of residents, community organisations, businesses and public sector partners.

Accountable body

Usually the local authority. Holds the funding, provides assurance, procurement and reporting — but does not set priorities alone.

Community

Shapes and tests the priorities through engagement, and should be able to see what was heard and what changed as a result.

MHCLG

Publishes the programme guidance, the official templates and the submission requirements that Boards work to.

Sequencing

How the two documents fit together over the decade

The vision is written once and reviewed periodically. The investment plan is the rolling delivery instrument underneath it.

1
Years 1–2
Board formed, evidence gathered, engagement run, 10-year vision agreed and published. First investment plan drafted with early wins.
2
Years 3–4
Delivery of the first investment period, monitoring against baseline, community reporting and course correction.
3
Years 5–10
Vision reviewed against what changed, subsequent investment periods prepared using the same evidence and governance foundations.

Timings vary between areas and nations. Always check the current MHCLG guidance and your accountable body's assurance timetable before working to a date.