Guidance

Pride in Place Programme: monitoring guidance

Published 3 December 2025

Monitoring guidance – how we will assess progress

The Pride in Place Programme is investing up to £20 million of funding and support to each place over the next 10 years. It is a long-term strategy to fix the foundations of those places most left behind. Through Neighbourhood Boards, in partnership with local authorities, the Programme empowers people to tackle deprivation and regenerate their local area.

There will be a formalised monitoring process for both phase 1 and phase 2 places to demonstrate progress on local people’s priorities. We are seeking to be light touch in our monitoring requirements, placing as little administrative burden as possible, while ensuring that we have the information we need to support places, demonstrate good value for money for the taxpayer and understand progress.

This guidance is an initial high-level overview of what monitoring data we will be collecting and what it will be used for. We have consulted the phase 1 places on this approach prior to the publication of this guidance. 

We will update this guidance to provide further technical information on how to fill out and submit returns ahead of the first phase 1 submission date in April 2026.

The first phase 1 submission in April 2026 will be a full 12-monthly monitoring return, as detailed below. Phase 2 places first submission will be a full 12-monthly return in April 2027.

What we will collect

The accountable body will provide short summary updates to MHCLG on a 6-monthly basis and make these publicly available.

This will include information on the following:

• each pre-delivery activity you have completed to date (e.g. capacity building, engagement activities, professional services) and a high-level breakdown of cost
• each new pre-delivery activity being undertaken in the next 6-month period (e.g. capacity building, engagement activities, professional services) and a high-level breakdown of cost
• each programme project and activity completed to date, including a description, interventions targeted, start and end date, and projected cost broken down by CDEL/RDEL
• each new programme project and activity being undertaken in the next 6-month period, including a description, interventions targeted, expected start and end date, and projected cost broken down by CDEL/RDEL
• any changes to Neighbourhood Board membership

Additionally on a 12-monthly basis we will also ask the accountable body for the following:

• programme delivery and pre-delivery spend in financial year broken down by CDEL/RDEL
• progress metrics (e.g. jobs created, green space created or improved)

The final list of progress metrics will be published within the further guidance providing technical information on monitoring.

What will we do with the data provided?

Information requested from places will be used for the following purposes:

• to ensure we have a programme level view of progress across all places
• to monitor that the Programme’s monies are being spent on local priorities, and project/activity delivery is in line with expectations detailed in Investment Plans
• to support additional performance management processes, e.g. project change processes and formalised end of investment period progress reviews
• to ensure effective programme communications, allowing us to collect and highlight examples of successful delivery and impact in places

Performance management 

Places will have a primary point of contact in MHCLG’s Communities Delivery Unit who will work with them to deliver high-impact, long-lasting local change. Monitoring information will allow MHCLG Delivery Managers to better understand progress and provide effective practical support across government to help places achieve their delivery goals.

Any concerns should be discussed with your Delivery Manager, who will work with you to resolve these issues or find an alternative solution.

A formalised progress review will take place at the end of each investment period. These review points will allow MHCLG to consider whether the Programme’s 3 strategic objectives are being delivered effectively and how a place’s expenditure is progressing against their forecast. Further details on overall programme monitoring will be set out in forthcoming guidance shortly.

Project change process

The programme enables places to have flexibility to respond to local need and opportunities. Any requests to make changes, such as to boundaries or introducing off-menu interventions, must be within the spirit of the programme and underpinned by evidence of community support. Places should work with their MHCLG Delivery Managers to understand the options available. If you do not know who your Delivery Manager is, you should contact: pippcorrespondence@communities.gov.uk.