After the Max Caller report identified a ‘dysfunctional’ culture in Liverpool City Council Government inspectors were appointed and now a new head of development is in place. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool City Council has appointed a new head of its development department as it looks to more being the troubles of the past few months.
Mark Bousfield has been second from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority for six months to become interim director of development. The authority terminated the contract of its previous regeneration director Nick Kavanagh, in March this year.
Mr Kavanagh was twice arrested and released without charge in connection with Merseyside Police’s Operation Aloft corruption probe. He has continued to deny any wrongdoing.
March also saw the publication of the Max Caller report into the Governance of the development functions at the city council. This has led to the arrival of Government-appointment commissioners to overseeing the authority’s highways and property functions.
Mr Bousfield took up his new role on Monday as the council looks to kick-start a new era. His focus will be on major projects that support Liverpool’s recently published City Plan and the Local Plan, the latter a 15-year masterplan for economic growth. The Local Plan will be going out to public consultation this summer.
He will also lead a team that is overseeing a multi-billion pound stimulus programme, such as the development of the city’s Knowledge Quarter as well as its booming film industry, to help Liverpool’s economy recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
And he will be working with the Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson, council chief executive Tony Reeves, and the commissioners to implement changes to the department.
The interim director role will be reviewed once the council completes a senior management restructure. The restructure is open to consultation and is scheduled to go to the Mayor and cabinet for approval in early autumn.
~”We’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of us delivering some key projects; tackling the issues raised by the Best Value inspection and rebuilding the trust of the public, our partners, developers and investors,” said Mr Bousfield.
“I am confident that, together with the many hard-working and talented colleagues across the council, we will continue to make good progress. From the start, the team has shown real talent, total dedication and offered me the warmest welcome. We’ll get straight down to applying our talents to our projects and work.
He first began his career at Google shortly after it launched in the UK and then worked for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He joined the Combined Authority in April 2018, to run its new public investment team.
Mr Bousfield previously worked for igloo Regeneration. Originally from the Wirral, he has a masters degree in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford and a masters in International Economics and Policy from John Hopkins University (US).
Council chief Executive Tony Reeves said: “In the short space of time Mark has been with us, he has proved what a talented and experienced leader he is.
“He is a fantastic addition to the team and I have no doubt that he will continue to make great strides in transforming our approach to development, strengthening relations with developers and investors.”