Councils encouraged to release surplus land

It was announced in the Budget that £6 million would be invested in forming new partnerships of councils to transform local services and promote local growth.

32 councils are currently signed up to the OPE programme, which is expected raise £129 million from land sales, deliver 9,000 new homes, generate 20,000 jobs and cut running costs by £77 million over the next five years.

Minister for Cabinet Office, The Rt Hon Matthew Hancock said: "Over the last five 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."

LGA Chairman, Cllr 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."

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