Heywood was chosen as one of 75 towns across the UK to receive additional funding from the government to improve the area.
The programme, previously known as the Long Term Plan for Towns, is now called the Plan for Neighbourhoods. More about the government's Plan for Neighbourhoods
This opportunity will benefit businesses, communities and individuals across Heywood.
Regeneration plan for Heywood
Between 2025 and 2026, we'll receive an additional £19.5 million to spend on things like safety and security, high streets, heritage and culture, health and well-being, housing and helping people into employment.
Working alongside the council, the Heywood Town Board is responsible for producing a 10-year regeneration plan for the area.
The plan will set out how to achieve the 3 aims of the Plan for Neighbourhoods.
- Aim 1: Thriving places
- Aim 2: Stronger communities
- Aim 3: Taking back control
Heywood Town Board meeting minutes
The Town Board meets to discuss how we'll spend the money.
Heywood Town Board members
Heywood Town Board is made up of local stakeholders, community leaders and employers and is responsible for the Plan for Neighbourhoods in Heywood.
- Brian Davies JP - East Lancashire Railway - Chair of Heywood Town Board: Brian has been a resident in Heywood for more than 40 years and served the borough of Rochdale as a councillor for 10 years. In his 10 years as a councillor, Brian was involved in the £50 million New Deal for Heywood programme. Brian worked for British Overseas Airways Corporation for 10 years as an engineer before becoming a Technical college lecturer. Outside of work, Brian has served as a Magistrate for 25 years and is Chair of East Lancashire Railway Trust, a heritage railway in Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Brian is also a governor at Holy Family College and the Chair of Phoenix Trust charity, which provides financial support for people experiencing hardship.
- Councillor Angela Brown - Chair of Heywood Township: Councillor Angela Brown wants Heywood to be a vibrant place that people feel proud of. Where people feel a part of their community, and everyone has opportunities to find and do what makes them happy. Angela enjoys reading and walking in the beautiful countryside that surrounds Heywood.
- Councillor Bev Place - Heywood Township Vice-Chair: with a Joint Honours Degree in English and Community and Race Relations, Bev has worked most of their career in the borough of Rochdale. Bev has been in an array of roles and possesses a wealth of experience gained across the private and public sectors, alongside a period of self-employment. Since living in Heywood, Bev has worked for the council in education and school improvement. She was the Deputy CEO of a Domestic Abuse Charity that provided services across the borough for 8 years before leaving to join the office of the late Sir Tony Lloyd MP. Bev is passionate about the community in Heywood and works hard to make sure residents are represented. She is especially passionate about accessing all funding opportunities to improve the life chances of all those living in Heywood. Bev is honoured to be a member of the board and looks forward to helping to implement the changes that residents want to see.
- Maddy Hubbard - Director of Action Together: Action Together is a local infrastructure charity which supports voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations in the borough of Rochdale. The charity connects people with what’s happening in their community, develops community ideas into action, strengthens local organisations, and provides strategic influence for the charity and voluntary sector. Maddy is proud to be part of the board. She's seen how much of a difference it can make when local people have the power to make decisions about their community.
- Waheed Rashid - Head of Active Health and Wellbeing for Your Trust: Waheed has 25 years of experience taking a lead role in developing programmes within the sport, physical activity, and health sectors. He has created many community projects, delivered social inclusion programmes, and addressed health inequalities. Using sports as a tool, Waheed has tackled broader issues like crime and anti-social behaviour, mental health, employability and volunteering programmes. Waheed loves playing sports, especially football and enjoys the outdoors.
- Hebe Reilly - Director of Cartwheel Arts: Cartwheel Arts is a participatory arts charity based in Heywood. Cartwheel have 40 years of experience working with communities in Heywood, Rochdale and Greater Manchester - using creativity to amplify local voices, enhance wellbeing and celebrate culture and heritage.
- Melanie Caffery - Business Group and Heywood Events Organiser: Melanie is Heywood born and bred and a director at the family-run, town centre business Mike Goldrick Window Blinds Ltd. Married with 2 teenage children, Melanie cares about Heywood and always strives to make it a better place. Melanie has been Secretary of Heywood Business Group and is one of the main organisers of Heywood 1940s Day and Heywood Christmas Lights Switch On. A member of Rotary Heywood 2020, Melanie has held posts of president and secretary. She retired as a governor at Heap Bridge Primary School after 10 years to join the Heywood Town Board.
- Steve Parker - Owner of Phoenix Brewery: since 2021, Steve, along with his 2 daughters run Phoenix Brewery. Not a brewer by trade, although he has become one, Steve has always been very interested in beer. Steve's business background has been mainly in manufacturing, and he has experience in managing and running businesses of various sizes. Steve lives in Halifax along with his wife and family, and they are keen supporters of Huddersfield Town FC. He enjoys running the brewery and being part of Heywood, but his favourite job is being a grandad to his 2 granddaughters.
- Allison Bamford - Churches Together: Allison has lived in Heywood for over 30 years and is married with 2 grown-up children. Allison is a qualified accountant and director of Bamford Print Limited, a printing company in Heywood. She is also the treasurer at St Luke’s Church in Heywood and is Chairman to Heywood Business Group, which organises events like the 1940s day and the Christmas lights switch on. Believing that Heywood has been given a tremendous opportunity to regenerate itself, Allison is proud to be a member of the Heywood Town Board. She hopes to help create an economically diverse town supported by its amazing community groups.
- Rob Chilton - Community rep: Rob grew up in Rossendale and has lived in various places across Greater Manchester before finally settling in Heywood. He currently works for the Diocese of Manchester, supporting parishes across the county with grant funding, building sustainability, communications and digital platforms. Previously, Rob was a local councillor in Trafford, where he served as mayor of the borough and Health Scrutiny Chair. He is currently Vice-Chair of Healthwatch Rochdale, a statutory charitable organisation that scrutinises the health outcomes and local provision for all residents.
- MP Elsie Blundell - Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton
- Ellen Whintle-Yates - Friends of Queens Park, Heywood in Bloom and Charities Fete (Vice Chair)
- Nigel Walch - Commercial property owner and Landlord of the Queen Anne Pub
- Sian Payne - Police and Crime Commissioners' Office
- Chief Inspector Bryn Saville - Greater Manchester Police
- Eden Povey - trainee teacher (community rep)
- Carla McCoy - headteacher (community rep)
- Paul O'Driscoll - community rep
- Chris Williamson - centre manager of Sandon House Community Centre (community rep)