Optimism at Hull pathfinder as new chief executive named

Bob Pringle, director of regeneration at Touchstone Housing Association, is to be chief executive of Gateway, the Hull and East Riding market renewal pathfinder.

The project has made a slow start devising an action plan to tackle low demand. But Gateway chair Stuart Whyte said Pringle’s arrival marked a step forward.

“Bob has a long track record in this field and we’re excited that he’ll be involved,” he said.

Pringle will join in November, replacing interim chief executive Hardial Bhogal.

Bhogal will become director of Renew North Staffordshire, another market renewal pathfinder.

He said: “I have a rare opportunity to work in an area where both a pathfinder and an urban development corporation are being set up at the same time. There’s huge potential and I’m looking forward to a fascinating time.”

Gateway has lagged behind the other eight pathfinders in putting together its strategy because of problems at Kingston-upon-Hull council during the past year. The local authority was put under partial government supervision last November because of poor leadership and problems of no demand for surplus stock.

But Bhogal said the pathfinder was starting to make rapid progress. “Our prospectus will go to the government in September and funding will be available from next April, which means we can really start improving housing.

“There were delays and I’m not quite sure why, as the issues pre-date my joining Gateway [in January]. But they have been put behind us and we are in good form.”

Gateway’s programme was approved earlier this month by its board and Hull council’s cabinet. The three-year strategy includes housebuilding and infrastructure work.

The proposals are being finalised for submission to the ODPM in the autumn.

Gateway will receive confirmation of the level of grant available for the schemes after the prospectus is submitted.

Renew North Staffordshire has already been given the green light for the first two years of its 18-year programme. It will launch a £67.5m housing programme.