Board members appointed to West Northamptonshire Development Corporation

Communities Minister Andrew Stunell has announced two appointments to the Board of West Northamptonshire Development Corporation, the agency driving regeneration in West Northamptonshire.

Deirdre Newham has been appointed as board member and John Weir has been reappointed as the deputy chair for a third term. The appointments will run for the remaining life of the Corporation.

These appointments form part of the restructuring of the board of the corporation to make it more locally accountable which will see it reduced from thirteen members to nine including six local authority members, giving the four local authorities a majority of seats on the board (subject to parliamentary approval).

Andrew Stunell said:
"The West Northamptonshire Development Corporation has started the last phase of its life where it has the role of delivering some key development projects but also becoming a more locally based body. This will prepare the way for a fully local delivery body to take over its role. Excellent working with local partner organisations, including councils and local businesses, will be critical to success. In this context I am pleased to announce the appointment of Deirdre Newham and the reappointment of John Weir, who, as part of a more locally accountable Board will help the corporation drive forward this work during its remaining life."

John Markham, chair of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation, said:
"I'm delighted to welcome Deirdre Newham onto the Board. She brings a wealth of experience and community involvement and I look forward to working with her.

"I'm extremely pleased that John Weir has been reappointed. John has made an excellent contribution to the corporation over the last six years and I look forward to his continued support over its remaining lifetime."

The West Northamptonshire Development Corporation was established in 2004 to drive forward regeneration, improved infrastructure, investment and sustainable growth in the towns of Northampton, Daventry and Towcester.

The Public Bodies Review announced in October that the corporation would be devolved into a local authority led delivery vehicle based on proposals to be submitted by the local authorities. The restructuring of the Board and the return of planning powers for applications below 200 units to the local authorities, which is due to take effect from 1 April 2011, are the first steps to achieving this goal.