ABSTRACT
The Stevenage Development Corporation, established 5th December 1946 by order of the Minister of Town and Country Planning in pursuance with the provisions of the New Towns Act, consisted of a chairman, deputy chairman, and six members. This public corporation financed by the Treasury had been recommended by the Reith Committee, in preference to a local government authority, a private limited liability company, or a non-profit housing association, as the most desirable type of agency to plan and develop a New Town. The Committee made the following suggestions on the constitution of such a corporation:
‘(a) Appointments should be by the Crown, and members should be removable on certificate of the appropriate minister.
‘(b) The governing body should consist of six to eight members.
‘(c) Members should include persons who, among them, have experience of land development, of economic and social conditions and labour relations, of business and of local government, and appreciation of cultural requirements.
‘(d) Some members should be chosen after consultation with the local authorities concerned, it being necessary to secure local contacts and goodwill, but it is essential that no member of the governing body should regard himself or act as a delegate of any other authority or organisation.
‘(e) The object should be to gather together a group of people with varying qualifications who will work together as a team. The field of choice should not be restricted to “safe” men with established public reputations; we recommend that the field should be widened to include younger people with drive and imagination and a desire to render public Service.
‘(f) The term of office should be five years with staggered termination. Members should be eligible for re-appointment but it should not be automatic.
‘(g) The chairman should be of recognised public standing, and able to devote adequate time to the work. He and the other governors should be part-time.
‘(h) It is desirable that some of the governors should live in the new town.
‘(J) The chairman and other governors should be adequately paid.
‘(k) The board should appoint the chief executive who should not be a member of the board.’ 1
