Shapps Announces HCA Reform Package - 50% Slash in Running Costs

Housing Minister Grant Shapps and Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Chief Executive Pat Ritchie have announced plans to transform the HCA into a smaller enabling body working for local communities on their priorities.
The statement follows a review of the role of the HCA as part of the Spending Review process. They will lead to a reduction in its running costs by half over two years, saving the taxpayer over £100m by 2014-15.
Key elements of the plans, which will be delivered within the CSR period, include:
* a 50 per cent reduction in HCA running costs from over £80m per year to around £40m per year
* reducing the number of HCA Directors from 12 to six, with the potential to reduce this further over time
* a reduction from 17 to four core HCA offices, with locations to be finalised as HCA work within the broader DCLG and public sector estate rationalisation programme.
Read more on the CLG website.