16/06/2026
Pride in Place Board To Be Assembled for Rossington, With Chair Appointed
A new chair has been appointed to lead the Pride in Place Board for Rossington. This group will lead local decision making on how to spend Government funding in the area over the next ten years, in order to deliver long-term improvements that residents want to see.
As part of the UK Government £5 billion Pride in Place programme, Rossington is set to receive £20 million over ten years. Through Pride in Place, residents, businesses, and community groups will deliver real improvements that matter to residents. This is led by local people and backed by the UK Government.
Communities will be able to spend the funding on what matters most to them, whether it’s improvements to pavements and high streets or investing in culture and green spaces.
Rachael Blake has been appointed as the Chair of the Rossington Pride in Place board, with Elaine Spencer appointed as Vice Chair and further members of the group set to be recruited. Rachael was Rossington’s ward councillor for ten years, before stepping down in May 2025, but has continued to be involved in community groups in the village.
When the board is fully appointed, a plan will be created setting out the vision for the use of Rossington’s Pride in Place funding and to develop investment priorities for the local area.
Chair of the Rossington PiP Board, Rachael Blake, said: “I’m excited to be appointed to lead the new neighbourhood board and make sure that this exciting opportunity delivers the improvements that the residents of Rossington want to see. I am delighted to have Elaine as the vice chair as her knowledge and experience of our community is going to make a huge difference to the board. Early consultation has already been started by Lee Pitcher MP’s office, and I want to thank people for sharing their views. The consultation will be the starting point for the board’s work and I’m eager to get started.”
Member of Parliament for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, Lee Pitcher MP added: "I'm really pleased to see Rachael appointed as Chair. She's a long-standing Rossington resident who cares deeply about the village. I'd encourage anyone who wants to play a part in shaping Rossington's future to put themselves forward for the board. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and the more local voices we have around the table, the better."
Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones said: “It is a delight to welcome Rachael as the chair for the Rossington Pride in Place programme. This long-term funding is much welcomed and will allow us to deliver projects that matter the most to local people, creating projects that are both vital and exciting for the community. I look forward to welcoming the rest of the board and working closely with City of Doncaster Council to produce results that the people of Rossington will be proud of.”
The Pride in Place programme will deliver £20m of funding per area over the next ten years across three areas (those being Rossington, Mexborough and Conisbrough) with the aim of bringing together residents, businesses, community groups and leaders.
