Introduction

The mission statement of the Commission for the New Towns is:

• to facilitate the economic and social well-being of citizens and businesses in the English New Towns, including the attraction of investment and development, through the disposal of land and property;

• to achieve the best price reasonably obtainable for the land and property and to complete this task at the earliest possible date; and

• in all that CNT do, to achieve high standards and satisfy customers' needs.

The Commission for the New Towns (CNT) was established under the New Towns Act 1959.

CNT, which now operates under the provisions of the New Towns Act 1981 as amended, is a residuary body of the 21 former English New Town Development Corporations and is required to take over, manage and dispose of the former Development Corporations' assets and liabilities. In undertaking this task, CNT must have due regard to the convenience and welfare of persons residing, working and carrying out business in the New Towns.

As at 31 March 1997, CNT was responsible for the disposal of 5,372 hectares of land for sale, 1,330 hectares of land for community uses, 231,236 square metres of industrial and commercial property and 410 ground lease interests.

CNT's Board comprises six non-executive members who are appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for periods not exceeding three years. CNT is organised on a regional basis with offices in Milton Keynes, Telford and Warrington, with the Head Office and South region based in London.

Achievements in 1996/97

Since 1994 CNT has been focused on disengagement from the built estate and other non land-related assets whilst continuing to progress the sale of new towns land. The work continued during 1996/97 with the aim of ensuring, as far as is reasonable, that by 1 April 1998, in relation to new towns, CNT will be predominately a land disposal organisation.

Major achievements in 1996/97 included:

• the generation of £165.7m of receipts from the disposal of land and property assets;

• co-operation with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in supplying information as requested to enable the Government, on 11 March 1997, to announce its decision to extend the life of CNT for a number of years after 31 March 1998;

• the disposal of 424 hectares of land, of which 240 hectares are for housing and employment purposes, and the disposal of 140,000 square metres of industrial and commercial property and 564 industrial, commercial and residential leases;

• the transfer of 48 hectares of community related land and open space to Preston Borough Council; and
• compliance with statute, regulations and Citizen's Charter standards including the introduction of a Code of Practice for Staff.

Plans for 1997/98

In summary, CNT plans:

• to generate at least £145m from the sale of land and property;

• to disengage from 600 hectares of land, 223,000 square metres of industrial and commercial property and 357 ground leases;

• to reorganise CNT by recruiting staff to the new organisation, rationalising office accommodation, moving the Head Office to Milton Keynes and significantly reducing staffing numbers by the start of 1998/99; and

• to plan and prepare to take over the residual assets and liabilities of 8 Urban Development Corporations on 1 April 1998.

Key Performance Targets
	1994/95		1995/96		1996/97		1997/98
Key Measure	Set	Achieved	Set	Achieved	Set	Achieved	Set
Capital Receipts (£m)	162.0	163.7	160.0	162.4	130.0	165.7	145.0
Disposal of Housing and Employment Land (hectares)	304	215	256	228	367	241	300
Manpower	447	457	390	381	350	315	304