Agenda item

The Chair invited Ellen Vernon, Programme Director, to introduce the update.

EV provided members with a quick synopsis of the OPE programme and what it had delivered to date in its 9 funding rounds, alongside 3 rounds of Land Release funding. Current focus was on the latest round of Brownfield Land Release Funding announced as part of the last Government Spending Review and worth £180m over the three-year period. A contract had recently been signed with the Cabinet Office to deliver this work, providing some certainty for the team. The first wave worth £40m, was formally launched on 8 July and closes on 19August, with project assessments and funding awards occurring during the Autumn. Further Waves are planned for years 2 and 3, anticipated to be £60m and £80m respectively. The team had been working to make this new funding round more accessible to more local authorities. They were also working closely with local authorities who had decided to review their estates as a result of Covid with a view to future OPE funding bids. Despite the current political instability, EV said that the Government remained committed to improving efficiency in the public estate and both DLUHC and the Cabinet Office remained very supportive of the OPE model moving forward.

Members’ comments and questions:

·       Cost inflation and skills shortages in the construction industry were highlighted as significant challenges for capital projects moving forward. Had any feedback been received from councils about these issues in terms of affecting delivery? EV said that they closely monitored funded projects and were confident that contingencies were in place to cover inflationary pressures for the current round. Discussions had been taking place with DLUHC about how this could play out in future funding rounds.

·       It was reported that Covid had disrupted work in one OPE partnership and it was proving difficult to get momentum going again. Had this happened more generally across the country and could anything be done to get some impetus back? EV responded that they were aware of the capacity challenges facing councils in terms of putting bids together (particularly those involved in devolution deals) and were working with Government to try and make this process as simple as possible. She offered to speak to members offline about resolving particular local challenges.

·       The issue of the Government’s levelling up agenda was raised and if this influenced whether bids for funding from particular areas of England would be prioritised over others. EV confirmed that there is a ‘place’ element to the Brownfield Land Release Fund judging criteria but they are honest about this in discussions with councils considering bidding and are still encouraging bids from right across the country.

Decision:

Improvement & Innovation Board noted the progress of the One Public Estate programme.