Smethwick Pride in Place Programme
Smethwick has secured up to £20 million of Government investment over the next 10 years, through the Pride in Place Programme (previously known as the Plan for Neighbourhoods Programme).
This long-term funding is a real opportunity for change but more importantly, it puts power where it belongs - in our hands as a community. This programme is designed to ensure that we, the people who live and work in Smethwick, lead the way in setting priorities and shaping projects for our town.
Take a look at the Pride in Place Prospectus here.
How we're making it happen
Our Smethwick Partnership Board, working closely with Sandwell Council as the Accountable Body, will ensure local voices are at the heart of every decision. We are committed to ensuring that this investment delivers on the things that matter most to our community.
Following extensive engagement with residents, businesses, young people, community groups and local partners, we submitted Smethwick’s 10-year Regeneration Plan and 4-year Investment Plan to Government in November 2025. These plans focus on the themes set by Government, which reflect the things many of us already care about:
- Regeneration, High Streets and Heritage
- Housing
- Works, Productivity and Skills
- Cohesion
- Health and Wellbeing
- Transport
- Safety and Security
- Education and Opportunity
- Community Power (added December 2025)
The plans set out the types of activities and potential projects that will deliver on the Government’s three core priorities: Thriving Places, Stronger Communities, and Taking Back Control.
Our plans were approved by the Government in April 2026, and funding is being released in stages to support delivery.
How we got here
In October 2023, the former Government launched the Long-Term Plan for Towns programme, selecting Smethwick to receive up to £20 million over 10 years. Each town was asked to develop a plan that truly reflected the needs and ambitions of its community.
In Spring 2024, we invited residents, businesses and community groups to share their ideas through a public survey. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who took part - your feedback helped us shape our early draft Investment Plan.
We also want to be honest about the challenges we faced. The engagement process in 2024 took place during both Local and General Election periods, which placed significant restrictions on how we could promote activities and reach people. We know that not all communities had the chance to take part and we acknowledge that this limited the depth and breadth of engagement.
We have listened and learned. As the programme moved forward - relaunched by Government in March 2025 as the 'Plan for Neighbourhoods Programme' - we strengthened our approach to engagement, reaching more people, in more places, through more accessible methods.
In September 2025, Government renamed the 'Plan for Neighbourhoods Programme' to Pride in Place.
What's next?
With plans agreed and the first set of funding received in April 2026, the focus is now on turning ideas into action.
There will be a funding launch, where local people, organisations and partners will be invited to submit ideas and help shape future projects.
Want to find out more? Join us at our upcoming events
Stay involved
We want this to be a journey we take together - one built by the people who know Smethwick best. If you’d like to stay up to date, find out about upcoming events, or share your ideas, join our mailing list.
Email us at Smethwick_PFN@sandwell.gov.uk to join.
Let's shape Smethwick's future together.