The Government has today announced proposals for a new agency to deliver regeneration
and housing in a major shake-up of the way it supports the delivery of new homes
and develops mixed, sustainable communities in England.
The proposed agency - Communities England - will bring together the functions
of English Partnerships,
the Housing Corporation, and a range of work carried out by the Department,
including delivery in the areas of decent homes, housing market renewal, housing
PFI, housing growth and urban regeneration.
Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly said the new agency will further enhance the
Government’s ambitious agenda to ensure social mobility and economic inclusion.
“With the expectation of over £4 billion of public spending at its
disposal, Communities England will pioneer innovative and more efficient ways
of working with our key partners in the public, private and voluntary sector
to get better outcomes from public investment in places.
“Central to meeting its challenge the agency will not only ensure greater
value for money but also guarantee the very highest standards of quality, design,
energy efficiency and sustainability.”
“Above all Communities England will reflect the Government’s on going
drive to ensure that the ambitions of local people for their communities and
their families are realised. This will enable Communities and Local Government
to focus more on strategic policy making.”
English Partnerships chairman Baroness Ford warmly welcomed the creation of
Communities England.
“My Board and senior colleagues are delighted by the outcome of the Housing
and Regeneration Review. We have consistently supported the creation of a single,
new agency and a streamlined supply chain and we look forward to playing our
part in creating that new agency.”
“On a personal note I am absolutely delighted to have been invited to
lead the team which will undertake the planning for the new organisation. The
staff of English Partnerships, The Housing Corporation and Communities and Local
Government have an enormous amount of talent and experience and I am looking
forward to working with them in creating Communities England”.
Housing Corporation Chair, Peter Dixon also strongly welcomed the announcement
about the formation of Communities England.
“The new agency will bring the strengths of the Housing Corporation, English
Partnerships and the Department together to form a single agency dedicated to
creating places that people choose to live and stay in. We look forward to working
with new colleagues, building on past successes to create a body which can deliver
even more to communities and the country as a whole."
Today’s announcement follows a nine month Review by the Department, in
very close co-operation with the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships.