Cabinet Office
One Public Estate expands to help almost three quarters of councils to deliver 44,000 jobs and 25,000 homes through property.
The Cabinet Office and Local Government Association have today announced that a further 79 councils will join the One Public Estate (OPE) programme, bringing the total number of councils participating in OPE to 255 almost three quarters of all councils in England.
3.6 million has been allocated to councils across new and existing partnerships on the programme.
The latest funding round means that by 2019 to 20 the partnerships on OPE expect to:
- create 44,000 jobs
- release land for 25,000 homes
- raise 415 million in capital receipts from land and property sales
- cut running costs by 98 million
The funding will support public sector partnerships to work collaboratively on land and property initiatives, generating new jobs and homes, creating more joined up public services to local communities, and delivering savings for the taxpayer.
OPE remains firmly on track to achieve the ambition of 95% of councils on the programme by 2018, with 72% of councils across England now delivering through OPE.
Ben Gummer, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, said:
One Public Estate is not just about creating savings and collecting land receipts, it also enables the delivery of houses and jobs.
Through this groundbreaking programme, local councils can transform services, unlock significant local growth and crucial efficiency savings through smarter use of property and land.
Lord Porter, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:
In the drive to get Britain building again it is encouraging to see that over 70% of Councils have now joined the OPE Programme. These councils will strive to collaborate with government and wider public sector bodies to deliver much needed Housing and services at a local level.
Background
One Public Estate is a national programme initially launched in 2013. It is jointly delivered by the Government Property Unit within the Cabinet Office and the Local Government Association. It supports joint working across central and local government to use land and property to boost economic growth, unlock regeneration, and create more integrated public services. It encourages public sector partners to share buildings, transform services, reduce running costs, and release surplus and under-used land for development.
Partnerships joining the programme will receive funding and both practical and technical support from our team to help solve issues and deliver ambitious transformational projects.
Launched in 2013, One Public Estate has grown from the original pilot scheme of 12 councils to 264, all delivering ambitious projects to meet local needs.
Following on from the successful pilot stages, it was announced in the Autumn Statement 2015 that One Public Estate would receive 31 million to further expand the programme.
A further application window for councils wishing to join One Public Estate will be open in April 2017. To find out more about the programme, email onepublicestate@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.