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New Neighbourhood Board Appointed for Sutherland's Pride in Place Programme

Board members bring diverse local knowledge and experience to guide the expansion of the Pride in Place Programme across Sutherland.

Generic image of the Scottish Highlands with rolling hills and a loch under a dramatic sky.
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Generic image of the Scottish Highlands with rolling hills and a loch under a dramatic sky.

The Highland Council has announced the appointment of new members to the Neighbourhood Board for the Pride in Place Programme in Sutherland, bringing together diverse local expertise to guide its expansion.

Co-Chairs Frances Gunn and Ian Ross have announced the new members of the Neighbourhood Board for the Pride in Place Programme. The board aims to bring together a wide range of skills, experience, and local knowledge from across Sutherland, ensuring representation throughout the county.
Board members' collective expertise covers key areas including education, transport, community development, land management, housing, and culture. Their experience in project delivery and managing public funding, combined with lived experience, offers unique insights into community opportunities and challenges.
The first Neighbourhood Board meeting, held on 26 October 2026, focused on a proposed boundary change and the development of a communications strategy. Members expressed a commitment to an inclusive, county-wide approach, recognising the strengths and challenges of communities across Sutherland. There was strong support for building on existing partnerships.
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"The neighbourhood board is committed to make a strong case to the UK Government to extend the programme boundary to cover the whole of Sutherland. This would create an opportunity to deliver significant long-term benefits across the county, while working collaboratively with other funders and partners to address priorities identified by local communities."

Ian Ross · Co-Chair
The board's immediate next steps include submitting a boundary change request to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for approval to widen the programme area. A communications strategy is also being developed to ensure openness and transparency with residents.
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"Keeping communities informed about the fund, the decisions being made and the opportunities available is essential. Pride in Place is a community-led programme, and we are committed to ensuring local people remain at the heart of its delivery."

Frances Gunn · Co-Chair
The full list of Neighbourhood board members includes Frances Gunn, Ian Ross, Joyce Campbell, Fiona MacKenzie, Karina Ross, Catherine Brown, Neil MacDonald, Christine Ross, Frank Roach, Ronnie MacRae, Rachel Skene, Christian Nicolson, Cllr Marianne Hutchison, Cllr Richard Gale, Jamie Stone MP, and David Green MSP. Members are also listed on the Highland Council website.
Based on information from the official source: The Highland Council (09/11/2026)

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