|
|
 |
| |
 Peter Bishop |
Culture chief quits Town Hall
PETER BISHOP– Camden’s environment and culture director – has become the latest high-profile official to quit the Town Hall.
He has agreed to become a chief advisor to Mayor of London Ken Livingstone in a new strategic position titled Design Director for London.
Mr Bishop (right) said last night (Wednesday) he was looking forward to “implementing the Mayor’s vision”.
He has been at Camden for five years and oversaw the controversial redevelopment of Swiss Cottage and the giant applications to revamp the King’s Cross railway lands.
More recently he helped dream up plans for a new swimming pool at Talacre Sports Centre in Kentish Town, a masterplan that later collapsed due to lack of public support.
He said last night (Wednesday): “The five years that I have spent in Camden has, without a doubt, been the most enjoyable in my career to date, and I look forward to maintaining close links in my new job. My new role is very exciting. It is a real opportunity to help shape the city over the next few years, making it a better place for Londoners to live, work and move around in.”
His announcement comes on the heels of the departure of Borough Solicitor Alison Lowton, former leisure boss Ian McNicol and press chief Emma Marinos.
Mr Bishop’s move has been seen as career progression rather than a desperate desire to quit Camden.
But his exit does mark the departure of another of the senior staff team that had worked closely to the orders of the Labour administration drummed out of the Town Hall at elections in May.
The new Liberal Democrat and Conservative partnership will need to find a replacement before his official last day in December.
While some councillors were yesterday (Wednesday) privately recalling past run-ins with Mr Bishop, others were publicly thanking him for his service.
Conservative councillor Mike Greene, the council’s elected head of the environment department, said: “Peter’s incredible leadership and vision has made the borough a better place to live, work and visit.”
Mr Bishop’s new £100,000 a year job will see him work with a new body known as Design for London which will oversee new architecture in the capital.
He said: “This is a real exciting role. It is a real opportunity to implement the Mayors vision for London and help shape the city over the next few years.”
His move also comes as Camden and other London boroughs are set to surrender some planning powers to the Mayor with the government ready to allow Mr Livingstone the right to intervene in more applications. |
| |
|
|
|
