North West Housing Forum comes together to discuss devolution

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With the English Devolution White Paper published, the North West Housing Forum bringing together social housing, local government, and key stakeholders to discuss the wide ranging opportunities for the region.

The meeting takes place 9th April, 12.30 – 15.00, Preston Town Hall (Lancaster Road, Preston, Lancashire). 

The Forum has a long history of working proactively with government on sub-regional housing and regeneration issues, having originally been established to engage with the regional structures of the early 2000’s on these matters. Many will remember the Forum’s early success as part of the stakeholder group influential in the establishment of the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders, as well as the extension of the programme in the North West.

December’s English Devolution White Paper provides a huge opportunity for the region. Cumbria and Cheshire & Warrington have each been placed on the government’s Devolution Priority Programme and will elect Mayors by May 2026. Lancashire has come together under a Combined County Authority. Whilst Liverpool and Greater Manchester continue to pave the way for devolution in the North West, gaining further powers and responsibilities.

To discuss the White Paper and opportunities for the region, we will be joined in Preston by:

  • Jacqui De-Rose, Chief Executive, Progress Housing Group
  • Dr Tom Arnold, Heseltine Institute, Liverpool University
  • Tracy Gordon, Lead Officer – Housing Partnerships, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
  • Noel Sharpe, Group Chief Executive Officer, Bolton at Home & Vice Chair, Greater Manchester Housing Providers

With such a mixture of arrangements and experience, the need for collaboration and knowledge sharing is crucial. No more so than across housing and regeneration. The sector will be key to delivering ambitious housing targets. At the same time, more can be done to inject similar ambition into a programme of housing-led regeneration, improving standards and quality of life across communities. As in the past, the Forum will provide a vital space to advance these discussions.

For further information contact:

Matthew Johnston, Member Engagement Officer, Northern Housing Consortium; matthew.johnston@northern-consortium.org.uk