Newcastle council's director of community and housing has been made redundant as the authority prepares its bid for an arm's-length management organisation.
In a statement, Newcastle confirmed that it had "deleted" the role, which had been filled since January 1999 by Jill Preston, a leading light in the housing renaissance of the North-east.

Preston played a central part in devising Newcastle's 20-year Going for Growth strategy, which envisaged building 20,000 houses in 20 years, gaining market renewal pathfinder status and preparing the ground for this week's third-round ALMO bid. The bid will be run by John Lee, currently head of regeneration.

Going for Growth team manager Shona Alexander will take responsibility for the project, which is to be folded into the local strategic plan, formulated with local stakeholders.

Preston will leave her £99,159 a year post on 8 August.

Source

Housing Today