Transformation roundtable: Using your council’s estate to transform your local public services

Date: 23 January 2025

Facilitated by Ellen Vernon, Programme Director, One Public Estate Programme, LGA

Speakers:

• Alex Wilson, Deputy Chief Executive, West Suffolk Council
• Paul Clifford, Director of Economy, Oldham Council

Ellen Vernon commenced the roundtable with an overview of the One Public Estate programme, a joint initiative by the Local Government Association and the Cabinet Office. Recently celebrating its tenth anniversary, the programme has been key in helping councils use their property and assets to drive significant local developments. Ellen highlighted how the programme facilitated collaborations that leveraged council assets to restart economic growth, provide critical housing, and primarily transform public service delivery while strengthening financial stability.

Ellen outlined various case studies where underutilised council estates were transformed into vibrant community hubs, commercial spaces, and affordable housing. These projects not only revived the local areas but contributed to substantial cost savings and improved service efficiencies. Ellen also discussed the strategic approaches adopted by councils to align their asset management with broader socio-economic goals, highlighting the importance of innovative thinking in public estate management.

Alex Wilson, Deputy Chief Executive of West Suffolk Council, shared insights into the council’s strategic use of property assets to foster community development and enhance public service efficiency. He highlighted the council's focus on creating hubs as part of their One Public Estate work, which strategically co-locates public services to optimise their benefits. Alex discussed several projects including the Mildenhall Hub, which integrates education and leisure facilities, and the Brandon Leisure and Health Hub, which combines fitness and health services.

He also detailed the Newbury Community Centre Project, which generated new homes and replaced ageing public buildings with a multifunctional community centre. These projects were developed in partnership with various public sector partners and were aimed at not only meeting immediate community needs but also providing long-term health and social benefits. Alex emphasised the importance of collaboration, strategic asset use, and innovative financing in driving these projects, despite the changing financial climate and challenges such as new accounting standards that affect project funding and delivery.

Paul Clifford, Director of Economy at Oldham Council, presented an overview of Oldham's strategic development and its use of land and assets for sustainable growth, emphasising the town's integration into the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and highlighting its diverse population and socio-economic challenges. He outlined Oldham’s economic strategy which focuses on community empowerment, place-based regeneration, and sustainability to drive overall prosperity.

Paul discussed Oldham's £280 million town centre regeneration initiative, noting key projects like the transformation of the Spindles shopping centre to enhance retail spaces and create new office areas, supporting broader regeneration efforts including housing and public space developments.

He also highlighted Oldham’s commitment to sustainability through the Oldham Green New Deal strategy, aiming for a net-zero target with significant green infrastructure projects, including a major eco-park, Northern Roots. The presentation reflected on the collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships driving these initiatives toward positive transformation in Oldham.

Can heritage impact development, especially in areas with low property values where it's difficult to present a viable business case for significant investment in heritage assets?

Paul acknowledged the significant challenges posed by heritage assets, especially in low-value areas where funding and investment are limited. He also discussed strategic collaborations with Historic England aimed at integrating heritage assets into broader town plans while preserving community pride in these historical sites. Lastly, Paul highlighted the need for innovative approaches to develop these areas sustainably, including leveraging private investment and developing long-term strategies that align with community and economic goals.

How are you coping with the economic viability of district heat networks, particularly the congestion charges and the resulting increase in energy costs?

Paul shared the difficulties of managing the costs associated with district heat networks, particularly the congestion fees that can escalate initial expenses. He mentioned ongoing regional discussions within the Greater Manchester area to collectively address these challenges. He underlined the necessity for a regional strategy that could offer solutions to mitigate these costs and improve the economic feasibility of these essential energy projects.

How do you manage public perception and ensure financial transparency in community projects?

Alex highlighted the important role of thorough community engagement and robust political support in managing public perception and ensuring project success. He noted that building trust through the successful implementation of smaller projects can pave the way for broader acceptance and support for larger initiatives. Effective communication and transparent financial management are key to maintaining public trust and demonstrating the benefits of community projects.

How do you control all the moving parts in community projects to propel them in one direction?

Paul stressed the importance of developing a clear, co-produced vision that involves community input from the outset, which helps align various project elements towards common goals. He mentioned the necessity of maintaining strong communication strategies that not only inform but also engage the community throughout the project lifecycle. By fostering a sense of ownership and involvement among residents, it becomes easier to navigate political and practical challenges, ensuring project alignment and success.

The roundtable discussion highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing to tackle community concerns about regeneration and gain public trust through effective engagement and leadership. Participants discussed funding possibilities and the challenge of reviving town centres without causing deterioration in other areas. Participants also discussed the importance of incorporating enforcement strategies from other council services into regeneration initiatives.

Another key discussion was on asset-based strategies which focused on balancing revenue generation with innovation, rather than simply cutting costs. The need for sustainable approaches to managing heritage buildings was also raised, with an emphasis on finding practical, long-term solutions.

Additionally, colleagues highlighted ways to categorise assets and align reviews with corporate priorities. Managing large property portfolios remains a challenge, and there was interest in using AI and data to improve efficiency.

The session concluded with a consensus on the need for strategic approaches in asset management and the benefits of collaboration and knowledge sharing between councils to foster innovation and best practices in public estate transformation.