English Partnerships (EP) has named Margaret Ford as its next chair, alongside publication of part one of the official review of the regeneration company’s role.
The review, drawn up by KPMG, has concluded that EP should be slimmed down to focus on identifying and overseeing the development of strategic brownfield land.
EP will lose control of non-strategic land held by the Commission for New Towns (CNT), which amalgamated with EP in May 1999.
Stage two of the review will assess which sites are considered strategic. It is thought that the majority of the CNT land, predominantly greenfield sites, will be transferred to local authorities.
EP will stand back from delivering regeneration projects, and will focus on being a “national expert on regeneration”.
However, Ford, who will become chair on 1 April, said that EP would be continuing its work regenerating former coalfields sites, as well as running Millennium Communities and Urban Regeneration Companies.
She added: “We want EP to be a centre of skills and professional expertise on regeneration.
“But we couldn’t be a regeneration expert if we didn’t get involved in actual regeneration.”
Regeneration minister Lord Falconer said: “The focusing of English Partnerships’ role will mean a paring down.
“It will no longer cover the whole range of things that it has been responsible for.”
Ford, 44, was previously executive director of Scottish Homes and is a non-executive director of the Scottish Prison Service and the Gas & Electricity Markets Authority.
Her appointment will last for three years and she will work two days a week with a salary of £43,581 pa.
EGi News 20/03/02
