Hull development agency is first victim of cuts

Grant Prior 15 years ago
Share

Regional development company Hull Forward will close after becoming one of the first agencies to fall victim to public spending cuts.

The organisation will shut in September with the loss of 34 jobs after the Homes and Communities Agency, Hull Council and Yorkshire Forward pulled their funding.

Hull Forward chairman Ian McIntosh said regeneration projects such as St Stephen’s shopping centre and Humber Quays would not have happened without the work of Hull Forward.

Chief executive John Holmes said his priority now was to ensure some of the group’s major projects continue beyond September.

They include a new £7m footbridge across the River Hull being built by specialist Qualter Hall

The regional development company was set up in April 2008.

In a statement, the company said: “Yorkshire Forward and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have reluctantly confirmed that there will be no funding towards the running of Hull Forward beyond 30 September following significant public sector funding cuts across the country.

“Hull City Council has indicated that a similar position is likely. This means that without funding, the company will be obliged to cease operations at this time with a full closure expected by the end of the calendar year.”

Hull Forward said it had entered into a consultation period with its 34 employees and would “explore every opportunity to help the staff facing redundancy”.

McIntosh said he hoped some of Hull Forward’s planned projects could continue with funding from Hull City Council, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward or the HCA.

Latest news

Lendlease to sell UK construction arm to US private equity giant

£35m takeover deal to be finalised by summer, subject to regulatory approval
21 hours ago

HS2 set for “fundamental reset” to lower construction costs

New chief executive promises action after latest project update
3 days ago

Solar panel installer fined £120,000 after roof fall

Court hears how employee broke his leg in fall
23 hours ago

Network Rail chief Andrew Haines knighted

Thin pickings for construction in this year's New Year Honours
2 days ago

Staff stunned as engineering consultancy Clarkebond closes

Firm was only bought three months ago by rival Independent Design House Group
1 week ago

Vistry issues third profit warning in three months

Profit expected to fall £50m below forecast due to delayed completions
1 week ago

Miller Homes buys St Modwen Homes for £215m

Scottish house builder snaps up £368m turnover rival
2 weeks ago

Keltbray fine increased to £18m after failed bid rigging appeal

Contractor loses penalty discount for settling with competition authorities
2 weeks ago

Luxury house builder goes under with 70 job losses

Octagon Developments in administration after 40 years in business
2 weeks ago

Top Ten best read stories of 2024

The biggest headlines of an eventful year. Have a good one and here's to a successful 2025
2 weeks ago

BAM Nuttall fined £800,000 after concrete skip tragedy

Young labourer killed by falling bale arm
2 weeks ago

Keltbray infrastructure business reveals new name

AUREOS means "new dawn" after private equity acquisition
2 weeks ago

Stiffer fines for over-running street works from next Summer

Cash raised from lane rentals to be channeled into pothole repairs
2 weeks ago

£113m Basildon rental homes scheme seals build finance

Work expected to start early next year on Market Square project
2 weeks ago

Notting Hill Genesis seeks more tier 1 repairs contractors

London housing trust seeks eight firms for new £1.5bn repairs framework
2 weeks ago

Reclaimed steel oil rig columns worked into London office revamp

Curo will use reclaimed bricks and steel for Fitzrovia office overhaul
2 weeks ago

CITB delays levy approval consultation

Levy agreement talks pushed back by ongoing review into effectiveness of training body
2 weeks ago

Ofwat approves £104bn water industry spending plan

Household water bills to rise by 36% to fund quadrupling of investment
2 weeks ago

Costain/ Siemens JV clinches HS2 power supply job

£300m deal for HV power supply systems over the 225km route
2 weeks ago

Demolition team assembles on Multiplex London Wall site

Erith to start work next month at Deutsche Bank's former headquarters
2 weeks ago

Norwich Council acts to revive £300m Anglia Square scheme

Council uses Homes England funding to buy stalled site with planning for 1,100 homes
2 weeks ago

Go-ahead for 4,500-home Cambridgeshire new town

Waterbeach new town plan stalled three years ago after an Environment Agency objection
2 weeks ago

Henry Boot to take total control of Stonebridge Homes

Deal worth at least £30m
2 weeks ago

HS2 costs could hit £66bn

Government looking for next estimate to be lower
2 weeks ago

Mace to close construction logistics arm

Specialist business being wound down
2 weeks ago

National Grid to invest £35bn over next five years

Plan set out for record investment in electricity transmission infrastructure
2 weeks ago

Profits double at Barhale

Civils specialist sees order book top £1bn
2 weeks ago

Balfour wins 68km HV underground power cable deal

Main works to start next year on Eastern Green Link 2 job
2 weeks ago

Stunning site wrap unveiled on Sloane Street

Hoarding creates illusion of fully formed façade on £53m Galliford Try job
2 weeks ago

Heathrow Airport upgrade spend takes off again

Airport operator will spend £2.3bn over the next two years
2 weeks ago

Contractor services