www.communities.gov.uk

New chair for the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation

Published 19 November 2008

Communities and Local Government today announced that Bob Lane OBE is the new Chair of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC).

The LTGDC was established in 2004 to bring about the regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley and London Riverside. The LTGDC is the planning authority for relevant applications and is charged by Government with helping to secure 40,000 more homes and 28,000 new jobs in east London by 2016.

In making the announcement Housing Minister Margaret Beckett said:

"The role of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation will be crucial for meeting the challenges posed to regeneration in the current  economic climate. Bob Lane has the drive, skills and experience to see it  through these difficult times and ramp up the pace of delivery to create a lasting legacy in advance of 2012.

"I also wish to thank the outgoing Chair, Lorraine Baldry, for her sterling work over the last four years. She can take pride in having helped build the Development Corporation and having left it in such a strong position for the challenges that lie ahead."

Bob Lane said:

"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the new Chair of the Development Corporation. It is recognised that the Development Corporation is entering into a new phase of its life with an increased focus on delivery. I look forward to working with the business sector, the community and other stakeholders to deliver a real change for the people of East London in this changing environment."

Notes to editors

1. Bob Lane's appointment as Chair of the Development Corporation lasts for a period of three years with effect from 1 November 2008. The remuneration of the Chair is £46,998 per annum on an average time commitment of two days per week.

2. This is a Ministerial Public Appointment that has been made in accordance with the Code of Practice and guidance issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. In this case, no political activity has been declared.

3. Bob was previously Chief Executive of Catalyst Corby and North Northants Development Company and Chief Executive of Speke Garston Development Company. He is currently a Trustee of Corby City Academy and was until recently a part time senior adviser to the international consultancy group EDAW/AECOM.

4. He holds two other Ministerial appointments. As a Board member of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) he receives £13,000 per annum for a time commitment of two days per month. And as a Board member of the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit (NHPAU), with a maximum time commitment of three days per month, he is paid a daily rate of £350 plus expenses.  

The present Board of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation is comprised of:

  • Imtiaz Farookhi
  • Ken Giles
  • Stan Hornagold
  • Atul Patel
  • Dru Vesty
  • John Worthington
  • Cllr Ohid Ahmed
  • Cllr Sid Kallar
  • Cllr Conor McAuley
  • Cllr Guy Nicholson
  • Cllr Michael White

The statutory powers and objectives of Urban Development Corporation (UDC), such the LTGDC are set out in section 136 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980. A UDC's statutory objective is to secure the regeneration of its area. This is to be achieved in particular through:

  • bringing land and buildings into effective use
  • encouraging the development of existing and new industry and commerce
  • creating an attractive environment
  • ensuring that housing and social facilities are available to encourage people to live and work in the area

For the purposes of achieving the regeneration of its area, a UDC may:

  • acquire, hold, manage, reclaim and dispose of land and other property
  • carry out building and other operations
  • seek to ensure the provision of water, electricity, gas, sewerage and other services
  • carry on any business or undertaking for the purposes of regenerating its area
  • generally do anything necessary or expedient for this purpose, or for purposes incidental to those purposes

Twitter

Keep up to date with the Department by following us on Twitter (external link).

Media enquiries

Visit our newsroom contacts page for media enquiry contact details.

Real help now

Real help for homeowners

Have your say

My favourites