TGSEP LogoThe Church of England and the Thames Gateway 

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Text Box: “Who’s in Charge here?” The story so far: October ’07- At a meeting at Churches Together in England Trevor Beattie, a director of English Partnerships (EP), explained how EP, the Housing Corporation and the regeneration aspects of DCLG were to be merged into a new super-quango to come into effect in mid 2009. However, he said, Thames Gateway was not included. (A report of this meeting can be found here) November ’07 – Gordon Brown launches the Thames Gateway Delivery Plan and Thames Gateway CEO, Judith Armitt, resigns. January ’08 – Yvette Cooper announces that the new super-quango will be responsible for Thames Gateway. January ’08 – It was announced that Trevor Beattie will head the set up team for the new super-quango. So, at the point where the Thames Gateway has a delivery plan to get on with, those in charge will be concentrating for the next year on setting up a new national super-quango! (added 7/1/08)

 

Text Box: “Gateway to a maze of utter frustration” So wrote Sir Peter Hall (Professor of Planning at University College London) as he reviewed the developments in the Thames Gateway at the close of 2007. During this period we saw the publication of the Government’s Delivery Plan, amid rumours that there were last minute changes following disagreements. What we do know is that the chief executive, who was brought in to provide leadership following critical reports about the Gateway, resigned after only a year in post. In his article, Sir Peter, starts with the above headline which was a quote from Michael Heseltine in 1979 concerning London Docklands. Heseltine introduced the London Docklands Development Corporation to “do things” and the modern Docklands are testimony to things having been “done”. However the Thames Gateway is a much bigger project covering and area where there are “30 overlapping agencies struggling for ascendancy”. The general view seems to be that the Thames Gateway Delivery Plan does give a foundation and a plan. The question must be – “Is there the political will to ensure that there is leadership within a realistic structure to achieve the objective?” (added 7/1/08)

 

QE2 Bridge

London Gateway Port Site 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: New to the web site Notes from the Chelmsford Diocese Regeneration Consultation in Colchester – 4th October 2008 To see the minutes press GO (added 7/1/08)

 

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