Following a competitive recruitment process, Craig Austin has been appointed as the independent Chair of the Tilbury Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board.
In March it was announced that Tilbury would receive £20 million of funding from the Government to empower local people to shape the future of their neighbourhood. The Chair, and the Board once appointed, will work with the Tilbury community to develop a Pride in Place Plan setting out how £2m per year will be spent over the course of a decade.
Craig Austin is well known in Tilbury as a local resident and businessman, who has lived there for 40 years and raised his family in the town. For the last few years he has also been the Chair of the Tilbury Forum, one of Thurrock’s most successful and well attended community forums. He was unanimously selected as Pride in Place Chair, by a panel including a Tilbury ward councillor, the MP for Tilbury, and a senior council officer.
Craig Austin said: “I’m really excited about taking on the role of Chair of Tilbury Pride in Place, and helping to bring about major improvements to our town that will last for many decades. Tilbury is such a great place with huge opportunity, but as in many parts of the country, there are big challenges here too. Local people haven’t always benefitted from previous investment, but I believe that a community-led Pride in Place plan has the potential to transform Tilbury and help it reach its potential. I can’t wait to get started, and recruit the rest of the Board.”
Cllr George Monk, Cabinet Member for Deregulation, Efficiency and Civic Pride, said: “Restoring civic pride across our borough is one of the council’s priorities, as sadly many parts of Thurrock feel neglected or uncared for. Our borough needs investment and commitment from everyone that lives or works here, to make it a place to be proud of. As such, the Pride in Place funding for Tilbury couldn’t have come at a better time. This external funding will help bring about real and positive change in Tilbury, and I’d like to congratulate Craig Austin as he takes up the role of Chair of the Tilbury Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board.”
Jen Craft, MP for Thurrock, said: "I'm delighted that Craig will lead the delivery of £20 million for Tilbury, as Chair of the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board.
"Craig has a proven track record of championing Tilbury and getting things done. His local knowledge and community links will be key to ensuring local people are at the heart of this project.
"This is a real opportunity to make a lasting difference for Tilbury. Craig and the Neighbourhood Board, once appointed, will have my full support to make that happen."
The Chair’s first task is to appoint a Board. Details of the recruitment process will follow. Once the Board is in place, they will begin engaging with local residents about their ideas for a Pride in Place plan for Tilbury.
