Contents
Attendees
Melanie Sealey (Chair), Adrian Welsh, Alison Hayward, Andrew Elliott, Andy Wood, Chris Bartlett, Claire Cushion, Dominie Dunbrook, Keir Duffin, Leroy Venn, Paul Britton, Sarah Jane Mackenzie -Shapland, Josie Gough, Tim Child, Hannah Keyte (Notes)
Apologies
Alan Denby, Andrew Collier, Catherine Turner, Chris Shears, Chris Watts, Dave Harwood, Iain Masters, Ian Collinson, Jody James, Kevin Mills, Laura Jayne Haynes, Mathew Chetwynd, Neil Blaney, Patrick Rafferty, Richard Marsh, Rosa Payne, Sean Kearney
1. Community Land Trusts – Steve Watson, Middlemarch Community Led Housing
Middlemarch completed a 12-month research study for Team Devon and identified Devon is very far ahead of other counties in terms of the number of CLTs.
With the right policy and industry support, CLTs could build around 278,000 homes. Target around community led housing making up approx. 5% of the national housing supply.
Key benefits for those in the public sector delivering housing through CLTs is that they are incredibly motivated and respond to community demand. They focus on small sites that are more difficult in terms of planning policy. These schemes are more popular for affordable housing.
TC interested to understand the role of LAs in helping to promote and bring forward the concept of CLTs. SW advised this was addressed through LGA Research via Team Devon. ACTION: SW to circulate a copy of the final report once available.
ACTION: All to contact SW should they wish to discuss any of this further.
2. Land Required – Keir Duffin
Devon and Cornwall Police are seeking a site, details of requirements were communicated by email. Should you wish to discuss this further, please contact KD.
3. BLRF Round 3 Update – Keir Duffin
Potential for BLRF Round 3 coming up in November.
Currently have 6 public sector bodies seeking to submit a bid. This adds up to 20 individual sites which makes up approx. 220 dwellings (of which 202 are either affordable or social rent). ACTION: ALL to contact KD if any further potential BLRF Schemes for discussion.
Anticipating timescales if announced in November – likely that applications will be required by end of Feb with funding agreements in place prior to summer recess.
4. Best Practice Funding Opportunity – Keir Duffin
KD outlined a proposal to run a series of workshops across the country to cover key geographic and thematic priorities.
To develop best practice, with a particular focus around understanding how they could work in Devon and Torbay.
Hoping to put forward a bid of £60k and seeking agreement from the board to proceed.
ACTION: CC to discuss with KD and PB around a Health and Wellbeing Hub project working with NHS.
Board members requested that Exmouth, Teignmouth and Dawlish are included in the Coastal Community Regeneration Work.
DD suggested threading young people through those action learning sets and ensuring they’re included throughout.
Devon and Torbay OPE Partnership were supportive of the proposal.
5. Benchmarking with Dorset County Council – Keir Duffin
Devon and Torbay OPE Partnership has sought a benchmarking arrangement with Dorset OPE and this has been agreed. KD will include on the next agenda.
6. Questionnaire – OPE Devon Place Board / Next Year – Keir Duffin
KD / HK will produce a questionnaire and send out to all Devon and Torbay OPE attendees.
7. Regional OPE Update – Paul Britton
Significant focus on BLRF so keen for Devon to maximise opportunities.
Conversations taking place regarding future OPE Programme, seeking an allocation for a
further round of OPE funding. Anticipate there would be a focus on place priorities.
Future Meeting Dates
- Wednesday 24th January 2024 – 2pm
- Wednesday 17th April 2024 – 10am
- Wednesday 24th July 2024 – 2pm
- Wednesday 23rd October 2024 – 2pm