Officials leading the formation of a new £20m funding body stop off at Erewash Sound

Show of support: MP Adam Thompson is flanked by councillors, Government representatives and community activators on a tour of Cotmanhay – where they visited local radio station - Erewash Sound

A large group made up of councillors, Government representatives and community activators have stopped off at Erewash Sound, ahead of the formation of a new body being set up to decide how up to £20m will boost a part of the Erewash Borough.

The Government’s ‘Pride In Place’ funding will be overseen by the freshly-created Cotmanhay Neighbourhood Board for which the hunt is on to find five local people to help determine where the money should be spent.

It follows a hunt for someone with close connections to the area to chair the board. The successful candidate will be announced shortly.

Each of those selected for the board is expected to be a champion for their area.  The role will involve engaging with residents, charities, community networks and businesses to help the board decide what projects and services to fund.

As part of a tour of the Cotmanhay area, a visit was paid to the Erewash Sound Media Centre which has been the home of the volunteer-run, non-profit making radio station and training academy since it was launched on FM and online in March 2010.

Jeff Martin, Brand Ambassador for Erewash Sound. hosted a group of visitors which included Cllr James Dawson, Leader of Erewash Borough Council and Erewash MP Adam Thompson.  The group was able to learn more about the work of the radio station in the community from Jeff, and have a tour of the studios and its training academy facilities.

He said: “It was an absolute pleasure to be able to welcome the group to the Erewash Sound Media Centre.  The team at Erewash Sound has always been very proud to be based in the heart of Cotmanhay, within which so much good work is done for the benefit of local people.

“We see our presence here as nothing but a massive positive, having welcomed and continuing to welcome scores of local people, representatives from community groups, charities and other local organisations, and supporting them with promotion and increased awareness on-air and online as well giving opportunities and vital life skills to people of all ages and walks of life via our Training Academy.

“We are therefore very excited at the prospect of being able to further consolidate our place by working with the Cotmanhay Neighbourhood Board as it comes together and sets about its work, with the radio station getting key positive messages out to Cotmanhay and the wider area about what is happening and how the money is being allocated over the coming years.”