Under the productivity plan the government wants councils to release land and public property to boost development…
In an attempt to boost development the government is calling on local authorities to share buildings and services. It is hoped this will reduce running costs and release surplus land.
During the Chancellor’s Budget, £6m was announced to form new partnerships of councils to transform local services and boost local growth.
A total of 32 councils are currently on the One Public Estate Programme. This initiative launched in June 2013 and aimed to allow local authorities to work with central government and local agencies to release assets, share land, and release property information across the public sector. It is a joint scheme run by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Cabinet Office Government Property Unit (GPU).
Collectively, these councils own 28 per cent of council land and property assets in England, and are expected to provide an additional 9,000 homes, as well as 20,000 jobs.
Additionally, it is expected £129m in capital receipts from land sales will be raised, while £77m will be saved by cutting running costs over the next five years.
Minister for Cabinet Office Matthew Hancock said: “Over the last 5 years the government’s property reforms have raised £1.4 billion for hard-working taxpayers and in the years ahead we will go further, and faster.
“By freeing up land and encouraging growth we are helping local communities to spring to life and find a new use for old government land.”
Chairman of the LGA Councillor Gary Porter, said: “Through One Public Estate, councils have shown that they are perfectly placed to act as leaders of place and deliver effective cross public sector asset management.
“It is great to see in practice and how through the programme we are seeing the integration of services, local economic growth, and support more sustainable local government.
“It’s clear this isn’t easy work and the investment of time, energy and patience, as well as funds, needs to go hand in hand with strong leadership. But I think what the One Public Estate programme has shown us is that the hard work is worth it.
“Successes to date include City of York Council entering a partnership with Network Rail to jointly release city centre land for the development of 1,100 new homes and 80,000 square metres of central business district.
“Also Leeds City Council working in partnership with Leeds Community Health on joint use of their land and property to underpin delivery of integrated health and social care services across the city.”