New chair needed for £20m Accrington regeneration fund

The hunt is on for a new person to oversee the delivery of a huge £20m Government funding pot earmarked for Accrington over the next decade, following the resignation of the town’s neighbourhood board chair.

Sami Smithson, who was appointed as independent chair of the Accrington Neighbourhoods Board in September 2025, has stepped down after a year in the role to focus on other professional commitments, including her role as chair of Accrington Stanley Women.

Her departure comes less than a year after the board secured approval for its ten-year regeneration vision, known as ‘Accrington: The Next Chapter’, which forms part of the Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods programme. The initiative is expected to bring up to £20 million of investment to Accrington between 2026 and 2036.

The board is now seeking a replacement capable of guiding the programme through its crucial delivery phase, beginning with an initial four-year regeneration plan.

Formed to oversee the investment programme, the board brings together representatives from the voluntary sector, businesses, education, health organisations, local government, police and Sarah Smith MP, with a remit to ensure residents help shape how the money is spent.

According to Government guidance, the funding is intended to support projects aimed at revitalising town centres and neighbourhoods, improving public services and infrastructure, boosting skills and employment opportunities, and strengthening local communities.

The regeneration strategy approved by the board is built around four themes: people, urban regeneration and housing, environment and transport, and delivery and investment.

The programme is expected to fund a mixture of major capital schemes, partnership projects and smaller community-led initiatives. Exactly which schemes will receive a portion of this funding will be decided at a later date.

Board members paid tribute to Sami Smithson’s contribution during the programme’s formative stages, including helping secure approval of the regeneration plan, leading community engagement exercises and overseeing the appointment of community champions to broaden local representation.

Councillor Munsif Dad, leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said the programme represented a major opportunity for the town.

He said: “Accrington is a town with huge ambition and enormous potential, and this programme represents a significant opportunity to build on that over the coming years.

“The Board is now seeking a new Chair who can inspire confidence, bring people together and help ensure that local residents remain at the heart of the decisions that will shape the future of the town.”

Sarah Smith MP added: “With up to £20 million of investment available over the next decade, the Board has an important role to play in helping deliver meaningful improvements for our communities and creating opportunities for local people.”

The successful applicant is expected to commit to at least the first four years of the programme to provide continuity as projects move from the planning stage into delivery.