Harlesden to decide £20m spending over next decade under new board
Sandra White appointed to lead neighbourhood board shaping long-term improvements for the Brent ward
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Harlesden will decide how to spend £20 million over the next decade after being selected for the government’s Pride in Place programme. The funding, announced earlier this year, will be allocated by a new Neighbourhood Board chaired by local resident Sandra White, who described the investment as an opportunity to strengthen the community.
Brent Council confirmed Harlesden and St Raphael’s as the two wards in the borough to receive the funding. The programme targets areas with high inequalities, using measures including deprivation levels and resident satisfaction. The council said the money could be used for housing, high street improvements, transport infrastructure and job creation.
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Who will decide how the money is spent
Sandra White, who has lived in Harlesden for more than 20 years, will chair the Neighbourhood Board. She has previously served as Chair of the Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum and has worked with young people and community initiatives in the area. Brent Council said her experience would bring strong local leadership to the role.
This investment gives us a rare opportunity not simply to change how Harlesden looks, but to help strengthen and heal our community, build on the incredible talent, creativity and resilience that already exists here, and create new opportunities for our young people and future generations.
Sandra White, Independent Chair of the Harlesden Neighbourhood Board
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New fencing, litter bins and play area upgrades funded by the government’s Pride in Place grant
White said she wanted the process to reflect both the strengths and challenges of Harlesden. The board will develop a long-term plan for the ward, with projects designed by and for local residents. The council has not yet set a timeline for the first decisions but said community involvement would begin in the coming months.
What the funding could be used for
The £20 million could support a range of projects, according to Brent Council. Potential uses include improving high streets, creating job opportunities, designing community activities, upgrading transport infrastructure and making streets safer. The council said the funding would build on recent investments in Harlesden, including the restoration of historic buildings on Harlesden High Street and the Harlesden Walk of Music.
Council Leader Muhammed Butt said the programme represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Harlesden. He said its success would depend on strong local leadership and genuine community involvement. The council has not yet announced a chair for the St Raphael’s Neighbourhood Board, which will oversee the second £20 million allocation in Brent.
What happens next
The Harlesden Neighbourhood Board will begin consulting residents in the coming months. The first formal decisions on how to allocate the funding are expected in early 2025. Brent Council said it would publish details of how residents can get involved on its website and through local community groups.
Questions this report answers
+Who will decide how the £20 million is spent in Harlesden?
Sandra White, a long-term Harlesden resident, will chair the Neighbourhood Board responsible for deciding how the £20 million is spent. The board will involve local residents in shaping the projects, with decisions expected to begin in early 2025.
+What can the Pride in Place funding be used for?
The £20 million could be used for housing improvements, high street regeneration, transport infrastructure, job creation and community safety projects. Brent Council said the funding would address local priorities identified by residents.
+When will the first projects be announced?
The first formal decisions on funding allocation are expected in early 2025. The Neighbourhood Board will begin consulting residents in the coming months to shape the long-term plan for Harlesden.
+Why was Harlesden chosen for the funding?
Harlesden was selected based on measures including deprivation levels, resident satisfaction and local inequalities. Brent Council said the ward faces some of the most acute pressures in the borough, worsened since the pandemic.
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