Chair appointed to support Lakenheath with £20 million Pride in Place fund

A chair has been appointed to help deliver up to £20 million of improvements for Lakenheath as part of the Government’s Pride in Place initiative.

The government has awarded Lakenheath up to £20 million in Pride in Place funding over the next 10 years – a transformational investment in the community’s future.

Mike Malina, (pictured above) who has a Science and Engineering background and is currently chair of Governors at Lakenheath Community Primary School, has been appointed to chair the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board.

He said: “I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to take on the role of chair of Pride in Place for Lakenheath.

“I intend to ensure the greatest benefit for the community where I have happily lived and worked for many years.

“I will be gathering the views of local people on the changes they would like to see and intend to hit the ground running with some practical projects to make a real difference to where we live.

“I hope that many of you will feel inspired to get involved too and become part of the process to make our village a place of which we can truly be proud.”

West Suffolk Council and the MP Nick Timothy have been working together to help establish the new board and its chair to support the work going forward.

The chair’s primary job is to be a champion for Lakenheath and bring the community together to share their ideas in an open and collaborative way.

The Neighbourhood Board will decide how the funding is spent in consultation with the Lakenheath community – whether this is on initiatives such as refurbishing village facilities, improving access to green spaces, increased arts activities, help with energy efficiency improvements, local training opportunities or other projects that matter most to the community.

As chair, Mr Malina will also lead on the recruitment of a minimum of seven additional members to the board, with at least half living or working within the Lakenheath community.

Board members should be able to bring together different voices to shape a collective vision for Lakenheath’s future, ensuring all voices are heard and that discussions remain collaborative.

The chair and board will also be supported by the local councillors and MP.

Information on how to apply to be a member of the board will be posted on West Suffolk Council’s website: Pride in Place – Lakenheath

Nick Timothy, the MP for West Suffolk, said: “I am delighted to welcome Mike Malina as the chair of the Lakenheath Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board.

“As the chair of Governors at Lakenheath Community Primary School, he has shown real dedication to the local area, strong organisational ability and a clear, dynamic and imaginative vision – and I know he will bring all of those qualities to leading the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board.

“The board will now spearhead the delivery of £20 million of funding for Lakenheath over the next decade – a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect and improve the village for generations to come.

“We must ensure the funds are invested wisely and in a way that makes a lasting difference for everyone who lives and works here.”