Sir Bob (pictured), who was appointed in 2004 on a three-year term, has been at the forefront of delivering the ambitious growth plans for Milton Keynes with a view to it becoming a major regional centre by 2031.
MKPC colleagues praised his experience and leadership qualities. English Partnerships has begun the process to recruit his successor.
Milton Keynes Council leader Isobel McCall said: "Sir Bob has worked extremely hard to achieve consensus around many of the challenges that face Milton Keynes as the city develops. He has been central to establishing a strong working relationship with the council and other partners."
During his chairmanship Sir Bob has overseen the development of a long term strategy for growth and the establishment of a MKPC Business Plan to co-ordinate growth activities across a range of agencies and organisations. The committee has also introduced the Milton Keynes Infrastructure Tariff, which has resulted in £17 million of funding for projects including expansion at Milton Keynes Hospital and improvements at Milton Keynes Central railway station.
Housing completions have doubled and MKPC’s planning sub-committee, also chaired by Sir Bob, has dealt with the outline approval of applications for more than 11,500 new homes.
He has championed the Oxford to Cambridge rail project making a significant input into plans to implement the move of the western section from Oxford to Bedford.
Sir Bob said: "I have found it particularly rewarding to get to know the Milton Keynes community, especially the young people. Finding out about their hopes for the future especially in relation to higher education has been a particular passion for me. However, I now feel that the time is right to bow out to concentrate on my other interests at a time when, I hope, I leave MKPC in a healthy state and ready to face an exciting future."
Dr Pauleen Lane, deputy chair of English Partnerships and a member of the Milton Keynes Partnership Committee, said: "Bob Reid’s wealth of experience and leadership qualities have been key to establishing the role of MKPC, taking it from a fledgling organisation to one which is a now a vital component in delivering the planned growth of Milton Keynes.
"He has played an important role in galvanising the work of our partner organisations so that we have a co-ordinated and well-thought out approach that will benefit the community now and in the future. We are indebted to Sir Bob for holding the reins well beyond his original contract."
