Host of quangos set to go

The Daily Telegraph today published a leaked document revealing a long list of 177 quangos which are set to go on to the scrap heap as part of the coalition governments austerity drive to save billions of pounds. Interestingly there are of course a number of development and property names on that list. Here's a quick low down.

Obviously the 8 'Regional Development Agencies' (RDA) will go, we already knew that, they will be replaced by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEA). More interestingly though the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation will see some changes but not complete abolishmsent. This seems like a no-brainer really, often criticised for not doing enough and having too many differing facets within to work as one, its work will now be devolved between the local authorities it serves and have to report to the mayor's office. The same will happen with Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

Another one to go will be British Waterways, who have actually done a great deal for rejuvenating and gentrifying waterways within urban contexts from their industrial pasts; been around since the 1940's too, none the less. They own a 50% stake in the huge Wood Wharf development remember, where will this go?

Others set to be completley abolished include the Infrastructure Planning Commission, the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit and the Sustainable Development Commission.

The Olympic Park Legacy Company will also see some changes and be turned into a Mayoral Development Corporation. At the moment it exists as a quasi-autonomous, non-governmental organisation and instead of being completely eradicated will now report to the mayor's office. Apparently these plans have been in place as far back as June.

English Heritage will however survive the cull and will have to absorb two other organisations, the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the National Heritage Lottery Fund, so basically it sounds it will receive more funds! They seem to be the real winners in all of this.

Meanwhile quangos which are still not on any list to save or get rid of and are currently on a precarious list of 'threatened with being scrapped' and still under review include CABE, the Homes & Communties Agency (HCA) and the British Council.

The full list of quangos set to go can be viewed here: Remember however, the list isn't final and could see some changes made to it in the near future. We wait until the government reveals the official list, instead of someone leaking it to the papers!