One Public Estate OPE
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
One Public Estate (OPE) is a national programme for property-focused initiatives in collaboration with central government and other public sector partners. It is delivered through a partnership with the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Office of Government Property (OGP), which was formerly known as the Government Property Unit (established in 2010). OGP is a government body that helps manage public sector land and property more efficiently and effectively. It is responsible for helping deliver public services, encouraging public service job creation outside London and for unlocking surplus land for housing.
[edit] History
One Public Estate was introduced by the Government in 2013. It was designed to encourage a strategic approach to asset management, including initiatives that would identify land for new homes and commercial space. To participate in the programme, councils apply for funding, practical and technical support to help solve issues and create worthwhile projects.
In 2017, the OPE partnership became supported by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Land Release Fund (LRF). This fund supports councils in their efforts to deliver new homes on their land. An additional £45 million in funding was announced in 2018.
[edit] Objectives
Its three primary objectives include:
- Economic development (through the creation of new homes and jobs).
- Customer-focused services.
- Efficient operations (through reductions in operating expenses).
[edit] Growth and development
When it was launched, OPE began with 12 areas; that number has increased to 300 and counting (as of 2020). This has resulted in thousands of new jobs and released land for more than 25,000 new homes across England.
Activities include:
- New emergency services facilities.
- Consolidation of public services.
- Healthcare campus revitalisation and service integration.
- Housing redevelopment.
- City centre regeneration.
Some of the projects (such as asbestos remediation and bat removal) are small but necessary efforts to revitalise structures.
[edit] 2020
In September 2020, Cabinet Office minister Lord Agnew announced a £30 million boost to Land Release Fund (LRF) and the One Public Estate programme.
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