Redbridge and Millbrook West
Neighbourhood Board

View Board Meeting Minutes

How the board was formed

To ensure that local people are at the heart of the programme, a Neighbourhood Board was established, bringing together residents, community representatives and people from local organisations and services who share a commitment to improving Redbridge & Millbrook.

The Board is led by an Independent Chair and includes people with a range of experiences, knowledge and connections to the local area.

Our role is to make sure that the £20 million investment is shaped by the people who know our communities best – the people who live here.

Jo McNicholas

Chair

Being Chair of the Pride in Place Board for Redbridge and Millbrook West is incredibly important to me. I grew up in Redbridge, attended local schools and have lived and worked in the area for much of my life. I am now raising my own family here, so I care deeply about our community and its future.

I bring over 20 years’ experience in leadership, finance, governance and strategic planning. In my professional role as a Chief Business, Finance & Compliance Officer, I manage multi-million-pound budgets and work with children, families and communities to achieve positive outcomes.

For me, Pride in Place is about local people having a genuine voice in what happens in their neighbourhood. I want to ensure the programme is open, inclusive and community-led, making the most of this opportunity to create positive change and a lasting legacy for current and future generations.

Cathie McEwing

Deputy Chair

My involvement in the local community began in the early 1980s when, as a young mother, I helped establish the Green Lane Mother and Toddler Group. As my children grew, I became involved with Newlands School as a PTA member and school governor, with particular responsibility for HR and welfare.

Before becoming a local Councillor in 2006, I chaired the local Sure Start programme. During my many years as a Councillor, I have supported residents on a wide range of issues including housing, community safety, anti-social behaviour and protecting our local green spaces.

I have also helped secure improvements for the community, including the play park near Millbrook Towers, and served on the 2016 Regeneration Board.

I bring decades of local knowledge, community involvement and experience of representing residents. I am passionate about ensuring local voices are heard and helping Pride in Place deliver improvements that make a genuine difference to our community.

Becky Pollard

I have worked with children and young people in and around Millbrook for over 25 years, including through my current role with local youth charity Youth Options. My connection to the area began in 2000, delivering play schemes, youth work, education programmes and projects with local schools and communities.

I joined the Pride in Place Board because I believe this investment is a fantastic opportunity to build on what is already great about Redbridge and Millbrook West and create lasting change that the whole community can be proud of.

I am passionate about ensuring children and young people have opportunities to reach their potential and, importantly, that their voices are heard. I also bring extensive experience of the voluntary sector, service development, leadership, income generation, finance and budget management. I want to help ensure resources are used wisely, local organisations are involved and the programme creates a positive legacy for generations to come.

Revd Ali Alexander

I am the Vicar for Millbrook estate, Redbridge, Shirley Warren, Maybush, Coxford and Aldermoor.

I want to encourage and support people across this community to make a positive difference to this community as they  develop their gifts and skills.

I have 30 years of NHS experience caring for patients and staff as a nurse and a leader. I have spent a lifetime living on estates.

Viv Alexander

I’m interested in the development of community facilities, particularly in Old

Redbridge. The area has good transport links and a local pub but its isolated from the rest of the estate, caused in part by the main road.  There are no developed community spaces or facilities within the area itself and I would like to see that improved.  Also, some celebration of the long and interesting history of Redbridge to foster some pride in the area. 

My background has been in encouraging community development and participation.  When I was living in the Coxford area, in the 1990’s, I was the Secretary of Coxford Community Association. We helped to develop facilities such as the Community Centre. We were granted National Lottery Funding to run  Coxford Detached Youth Project, employing 2 part time youth workers and I became the administrator of that project. I also worked at several detached youth projects across the city and No Limits. 

I later worked for an organisation as an Online Community Manager which involved  building engagement through blogs and social media, as well as organising and managing events.  We funded grants to startup businesses and I monitored and supported their  progress. Alongside this I ran my own self-employed business and started a work place running club for all abilities which was very successful. 

Hayden Collins

Born and bred in Millbrook for 30 years and a 3rd generation resident - I am proud to be from here. My career had led me to running many projects in the areas and helping empower and enhance the fantastic place Millbrook can be. These ranged from youth work, city of culture and inter-generational projects. 

I wanted to enhance Millbrook and provide opportunities for all - bringing my experience of both a resident and professional to give Pride in Place the best possible chance of success. 

Having overseen community engagement and public involvement across the city in health, culture and sport I can provide challenge and assurance that decisions will be made in the best interests of residents and with data to back it up. My experience enables me to assist the board, both strategically and practically, in how we deliver the initial stages of Pride in Place - with my lived experience acting as a foundation and guidance to that process. 

Eileen Downes

I’m Eileen and I have been a resident of Millbrook and previously Redbridge for over 70 years. I was educated locally, as were my husband and sons, and I am proud to call myself a Millbrook girl.

I have spent many years supporting our community through volunteering and professional roles. I chaired Millbrook Local History Society for 24 years and continue to run its Facebook group, which has over 1,600 members. I also volunteer with local churches and support Key Stage 1 reading at Oakwood School.

For nearly 30 years I worked with children and families in local schools, Sure Start and community development, alongside serving as a PTA Chair and school governor.

I bring extensive local knowledge, community experience and strong listening skills to the Board. Pride in Place is an exciting opportunity for residents, groups and businesses to help make Millbrook and Redbridge an even better place to live, work and feel safe.

Kerry Budd

I've been a resident here since 1975 and attended several local parent and toddler groups and SureStart with my sons.

I joined the Pride in Place Board because I've always loved living here and although it has so much to  offer, feel there are definitely areas of improvement.

I was on the original SureStart management board, was parent governor at Holy Family school and have been the chairman of the local scout group for 14 years .Because of these roles, I've had the opportunity to meet lots of local families.

Lisa Cocks

My family have lived in Millbrook & Redbridge for generations. 

I wanted to help make our home a better place to live for our children and grandchildren. I also wanted to ensure this project remains truly community led. 

I am the founder of Southampton ADHD Awareness and Support Group. Established in 2010. 

I am a certified housing practitioner with the CIH. I work under the specialist services team (safeguarding) for a National Housing Association. 

I am qualified in project management. 

I am a certified specialist Wellbeing Life Coach.   

I am also a registered MHFAider. 

Debbie Collis

I have lived in Millbrook for the last 25 years.

I applied to join the Pride in Place board as I am a great believer in that if you want change and improvements you have got to be willing to be part of achieving this. 

I believe the skills that I bring are, as well as living, I have also worked in the West area of the City for the last 24 years so have knowledge of the area. I work alongside community members and am approachable and easy to get on with, used to dealing with problems and working with the community to find the best solution for everyone.

Kathie Iason

My connection to Millbrook is I’ve lived here for over 35years, we are now the 3rd generation here. 

I joined Pride in Place as I want to help make a difference to both areas for my children and grandchildren. 

Regards to what skills I have I am the co-founder of Millbrook Matters with over 2700 members who live on the Millbrook estate, over the past 6years I’ve learnt to help lots of people and I’d like to continue to do that. 

Luke Newman

My connection to Redbridge and Millbrook is both personal and professional. I grew up spending time in the area, playing football and making many childhood memories here. I have worked in the community since 2008 and have led Testlands from Green Lane since 2015, working alongside residents and partners to improve health, wellbeing and opportunities for local people.

I joined the Pride in Place Board because I care deeply about the future of Redbridge and Millbrook. I believe lasting change happens when local people are empowered to shape their own community and that Pride in Place offers an exciting opportunity to make this happen.

As CEO and Co-founder of Testlands, I bring experience in strategic leadership, partnership development and community-led regeneration. I have built partnerships across local authorities, the NHS, schools, businesses and voluntary organisations. I am passionate about bringing people together, securing investment and ensuring community voices remain at the heart of decision-making.

Satvir Kaur

I'm the local Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, and I'm proud to represent Redbridge and Millbrook at a national level. I've knocked almost every door in the neighbourhood and helped hundreds of residents with issues they've faced. 

All Pride in Place project areas require the local MP to sit on the board, which I am delighted to do. I was so pleased to play my part in securing the £20 million fund for the Redbridge and Millbrook area, and I'm keen to do everything I can to support the community in realising their plans.

My role as MP means I can be central to all communication with government, regarding Pride in Place, and my years working as an MP and councillor before that have given me a good understanding of similar projects. Covering everything from securing funding, running consultations, and working with partners to deliver for the city, I hope my experience will help the Board and the wider community achieve their goals.

Eugene McManus

A Resident of Millbrook and Redbridge throughout my Life, active in the Community supporting local Clubs and for 13 Years Licensee of The Saints Pub, turning a failing venue in to a Community Hub raising hundreds of Thousands of Pounds to Local and National Charities

As an elected Ward Councillor appointment to the board was mandatory, however, due to being embedded in the Community I, in any event, would have applied for position aware of how important the future of our Area is to all.

What I bring to the Board is knowledge of the area being rooted in Community engagement, not just acting on behalf of Residents but working alongside them, co creating solutions to issues however small they may seem.  

Jo Halsey

I and the Deputy Headteacher for Newlands Primary School where I have worked at Newlands Primary School for over 16 years

I’ve joined the Board because I care deeply about this community and want to play a part in shaping its future in a more strategic way. In my work, I see every day how much environment, opportunity and a sense of belonging matter for children and families.

The Pride in Place programme is a chance to bring people together around long‑term change and that’s something I feel strongly about. This role fits closely with both my professional experience and my personal values, and it gives me a way to contribute beyond my school role.

As a Deputy Headteacher, I bring experience in strategic leadership, problem‑solving and multi‑agency working, all of which fit closely with Pride in Place’s focus on long‑term, joined‑up change. My day‑to‑day work with families gives me a strong understanding of local experiences and what really matters to people here, which supports the programme’s aim of building communities where everyone feels they belong. I’m used to bringing partners together, keeping conversations solution‑focused and thinking about inclusion and equity, which aligns well with the project’s goal of creating opportunities and improving outcomes across the area.