Since One Public Estate (OPE) started with 12 pilot councils in 2013 we now have over 250 local authorities participating individually, as combined authorities, and as LEP partners, and we are looking at significant benefits arising from collaborative working on public land – over 25,000 new homes, 43,000 new jobs, and almost £100 million saved in running costs.
OPE is about central and local government working together to get better value from public land and buildings, with councils taking the role of ‘leaders of place'. There have been some fundamental truths emerging over the last four years.