Nick Raynsford (pictured) has suffered at the hands of Tony Blair’s extensive reshuffle of the Government.
He has been moved from planning to become minister for local government. It had been thought that Raynsford would stay on as planning minister but the post has been passed on to Lord Falconer, former minister for the Dome.
Falconer, who was involved in the legal aspects of planning, will retain responsibility for the final throws of the Dome in his new position.
Michael Chambers, head of policy at the RICS, was alarmed by Raynsford’s axing. “It is surprising and slightly worrying – but at least he’s staying on in DTLR,” he said. “I expect that he will continue to exert an influence on planning and housing issues as he’s clearly the man who knows what is going on in that area.”
But Chambers also welcomed Lord Falconer’s appointment: “Charlie Falconer’s appointment is rather a surprise, and we’ll come to him with an open mind, and we will not hold his handling of the Dome against him.”
It is assumed that the Homes Bill and the Commonhold & Leasehold Reform Bill will go through in the next Parliament due to their appearance in Labour’s manifesto. However, Raynsford’s pledge to see through the controversial seller’s pack bill at the earliest possible stage now appears to have taken a back burner.
EGi News 12/04/01
