Attendees:
Melanie Sealey (Chair), Keir Duffin, Iain Masters, Kevin Mills, Mathew Chetwynd, Patrick Rafferty, Paul Britton, Ben Colman, Tom Phillips, Sarah Ratnage, Nick Bryant, Amy Farmiloe, Natalie Haines, Hannah Dixon (Minutes)
Apologies:
Georgina Gillott, Megan Cross, Neil Blaney, Ian Collinson, Roger Clotworthy, Matt Dodd, Sean Anstee, Sarah Jane Mackenzie-Shapland and Helen Bone (Natalie Haines deputised)
1. Minutes from the previous meeting
1.1 Minutes from the previous meeting agreed as an accurate record.
2. Public sector co-location / Business case update
2.1 Work has continued with DWP and Devon Library Services to develop a business case for potential co-location. Stage 1 is now complete, with further work needed to share the findings more widely with partners. DWP and DCC will now consider whether the proposal aligns with wider policy objectives and whether it should progress to Stage 2.
2.2 The Ilfracombe public sector co-location project is focused on the proposed health and wellbeing hub. North Devon and Exeter Hospitals will lead this element of the project. This stage of the work is now complete and will be progressed by North Devon and Exeter.
2.3 A number of smaller projects are also being explored, including opportunities for DCC and District premises.
2.4 Some final “top and tail” work is required to complete the first stage. Overall, the position is positive; however, progression to Stage 2 will depend on the key authorities deciding whether they wish to take the work forward.
2.5 It would be helpful to develop a shared list of public sector assets and explore whether partners could move towards a centralised asset register. E-PIMS has previously been used, and the Cabinet Office-led InSite system is currently available to partners; however, its primary focus remains central government estate. While this is useful for property teams, it remains a central government data source, with an aspiration for wider use in the future. There is a clear gap in asset data sharing. This may link to the wider LGR work, where rationalization of assets will be necessary and opportunities for broader data sharing may arise, particularly if new councils are created and some assets are no longer required, although this is likely to take time. It was queried how these conversations can be maintained, including asset disposals, and how such matters can be highlighted to partners confidentially.
ACTION: Mel to link Mat with the DCC Estates Team.
ACTION: Mel and Keir to discuss how asset opportunities can be raised through this forum as they arise and bring back to a future meeting if appropriate.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR): Planning the transfer of assets and liabilities
A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES COMMENCING LGR: LGR Toolkit | Local Government Association
3. Current OPE bids update
3.1 Paul outlined that OPE is focusing on supporting areas undergoing devolution and LGR, with ongoing work to secure future funding, while Keir described efforts to close out longstanding OPE bids, Action: Keir will update at the next board meeting.
4. Update on latest BLRF Pipeline – Exeter City Council / DCC / TDC / SW Devon
4.1 Paul reported that the next round of BLRF funding is delayed due to national political changes, but partners are encouraged to prepare and align their project pipelines so that submissions can proceed quickly once the fund is launched.
4.2 Nationally, funding is expected to be around £35m in 2026/27, £35m in 2027/28 and £35m in 2028/29, forming a three-year programme. National target for £35m is 10000 homes. There is also interest in extending the programme to include other public sector land, and partners were encouraged to share any potential sites. The current steer from Central Government is that BLRF has previously focused solely on delivering 1.5 million homes, but the focus is expected to move more towards affordable housing.
4.3 Contracts are expected to be exchanged today to acquire the North Walk site in Barnstaple. This is a multi-agency site, and it was noted that it may not be appropriate for the Police to lead on it. If other partners wish to take the site forward, support can be provided, although it may be better led by the District Council. ACTION: Paul Britton to arrange a meeting to discuss the Barnstaple site.
4.4 Paul clarified that BLRF can cover demolition and decontamination costs up to the viability gap, with the possibility of combining BLRF and Homes England funding for affordable housing deliver for contaminated sites. ACTION: Paul and Mat to discuss.
4.5 BLRF is not supporting areas that have received an integrated settlement. As a result, the remainder of England may have a greater chance of securing funding.
4.6 Proposals are being developed by Exeter City Council for 10 garage sites, they have asbestos roofs, insufficient space for modern vehicles, and are buildings that are no longer fit for purpose. Potential delivery of approximately 80 dwellings.
4.7 Gas Lane, Torrington is a polluted site where BLRF funding would be sought to support site clearance and remediation. The proposal is for approximately 32 properties, with around £500k of BLRF funding required.
4.8 There is interest in exploring how the Bradley Lane site can be unlocked. BLRF and High Street funding has already been used to demolish buildings and clear the site, although some contamination remains. The site has the potential to deliver 90–120 homes, with enabling works estimated at £1m–£1.5m. ACTION: Paul Britton and Tom Phillips to discuss the site outside of this meeting.
4.9 TDC has a number of additional early-stage sites. These include Greenhill Industrial Estate, Kingsteignton, and the multi-storey car park in Newton Abbot, which is likely to justify demolition within the next three to five years.
4.10 North Devon Council identified Oxford Grove and Portland Buildings as potential sites.
4.11 East Devon identified garage sites as potential opportunities and is looking to develop these across the three-year programme.
4.12 Mid Devon is continuing to develop its new HRA programme and expects to have a clearer steer on appetite and priorities later in the summer. Tiverton Town Centre may also be considered as a potential affordable housing-led scheme.
4.13 Torbay identified two sites. The first is the Union Square redevelopment, where the majority of the site has been acquired and planning permission is in place. The scheme is expected to deliver a minimum of 60 units. Around £650k is required for demolition and enabling works.
4.14 The second Torbay site is the Seabreeze Hotel. This has planning permission for 14 units and has already been demolished. Around £140k of funding is required.
5. LGR / OPE
5.1 Hampshire and Solent have received information on what Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) may look like across Hampshire, including Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester and Basingstoke. OPE previously had four boards across the area, but these have now been brought together into one board covering Hampshire and Solent. OPE can support the property aspects of LGR, including working with councils and partners on property strategies to identify where greater focus may be needed. This includes reviewing data and identifying similarities between councils. A peer review offer is also available, particularly in relation to property review work, and could involve bringing in people who have already been through LGR. It was emphasised that this work is not just about councils; partners should also be considered to ensure that opportunities are not missed.
5.2 Mel referred to the property group that is being established. Further consideration will be needed on how this Board links with, and works alongside, that group.
6. Any Other Business
6.1 Devon and Cornwall’s ICBs are merging into one statutory body by April 2027.
6.2 Action: Mathew C to present findings from a Parliamentary Select Committee Interview on Barriers to Health and Local Authority collaboration in property development at the next meeting.
Future Meeting Dates
Wednesday 21st October 2026