Deputy Chairman appointment to English Partnerships Board

Published	7 August 2007

Housing Minister Yvette Cooper today announced the reappointment of Dr Pauleen Lane as Deputy Chairman to the board of Government regeneration agency English Partnerships (EP). Dr Lane will hold the post until the launch of the new homes agency in 2009.

Combining the powers of EP, the Housing Corporation and the Government's housing delivery arm, the new homes agency will be a national partner, able to work locally, especially with Local Authorities in unlocking land for development. The agency will also offer the scope to provide more affordable housing across the country, creating more opportunities for individuals and families to get a foot on the housing ladder.

Yvette Cooper said:

"I am pleased that Dr Lane has agreed to continue to serve as Deputy Chairman on the board of English Partnerships. Her expertise and experience is a major asset to the organisation's work and will be invaluable in the transition to the new homes agency."

Margaret Ford, Chairman of English Partnerships, commented:

"Pauleen has been a highly effective and supportive deputy chair and I welcome her reappointment. As we move towards the creation of the new homes agency our focus on delivering our Programme is of the utmost importance. Pauleen's knowledge and commitment will be more valuable than ever in supporting the work of English Partnerships during this important transition period."

Notes to Editors

1. English Partnerships is a key delivery body for the Government's Sustainable Communities programme, which addresses housing shortages, homes for key workers, affordable housing and the problems of abandonment and decay. It also has a major role in the regeneration and remediation of brownfield land. It works closely with other stakeholders, including the Housing Corporation, Regional Development Agencies, local government and the private sector.

2. English Partnerships operates as a single structure based on the twin statutory basis of the Urban Regeneration Agency (URA) and Commission for the New Towns (CNT), which are Non-Departmental Public Bodies, operating under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 and the New Towns Act 1981 respectively.

3. EP board members are legally therefore members of both the URA and CNT. The boards comprise a Chairman, Deputy Chairman and between four and thirteen other members. All appointments are made by the Secretary of State. The Chairman is Margaret Ford. More details about can be found at: http://www.englishpartnerships.co.uk.

4. The new homes agency will be the Government's national delivery vehicle for investment in housing and regeneration. Ministers believe that their agenda for meeting the country's housing and regeneration needs requires a step change in delivery and the long-standing legislative powers of both the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships need to be updated. A new set of powers will be determined, capable of delivering the ambitious programme of transformational projects envisaged for the new agency.

5. Dr Lane's appointment runs from 1 July 2007 until 30 June 2009 or until the wind up of English Partnerships if this is earlier. The remuneration for this appointment is £54,878 for a time input of 3 days per week. All board appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However in accordance with the Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for any board appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public.

Biography

Dr Pauleen Lane CBE is a civil engineer by profession. After obtaining her PhD, she worked in transportation, bridge and highway design, and construction. She holds an academic post in engineering (part time) at the University of Manchester. She is an elected member of Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council and was Mayor of the Borough for 2005/2006. She is a Board Member of the Northwest Regional Development Agency and a member of the Milton Keynes Partnership Board. She was awarded a CBE in the 2005 New Year's Honours list for services to local government.

She was appointed to the EP Board on 1 January 2000 and reappointed for a further three years on 1 January 2003. She was promoted to Deputy Chairman from 24 October 2005 from within the Board and her appointment was extended until 30 June 2007.

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