Renew’s future in doubt over funding switch
The future of Renew Northwest, the specialist agency for improving regeneration skills, is in doubt after a review of funding by the Government.
Renew was formed in 2004 and is funded via the North West Development Agency, which is now considering bringing its remit in-house rather than maintaining the dedicated arms-length unit.
Directors from the two quangos met on Friday but the outcome of the talks has not been announced. It is rumoured funding will cease in the summer.
Phil Barton, chief executive of Renew, has already resigned to take up a post as the head of Wigan-based Encams, the national organisation in charge of the Keep Britain Tidy and Blue Flag campaigns.
Barton leaves his post later this month and no permanent replacement has been recruited. Mike Shields, a former chief executive of the NWDA, has joined Renew as an interim manager on a consultancy basis.
