{"id":5743,"date":"2026-03-25T09:48:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T09:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/?post_type=dcc_docs_document&#038;p=5743"},"modified":"2026-03-25T09:48:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T09:48:41","slug":"ope-partnership-board","status":"publish","type":"dcc_docs_document","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/document\/ope-partnership-board\/","title":{"rendered":"OPE Partnership Board"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-aside is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#a\">Attendees: <\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#a-1\">Apologies: <\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#1-minutes-from-the-previous-meeting\">1. Minutes from the Previous Meeting<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#public-sector-co-location-business-case-update-ian-thompson\">2. Public sector co-location \/ Business case update \u2013 Ian Thompson<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#3\">3. BLRF Bid Update \u2013 Keir Duffin \/ Paul Britton<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#4\">4. Devon and Torbay CCA &#8211; Housing Plan &#8211; Matt Dodd<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5\">5. Presentation on Sherbourne House development \/ BLRF Funded \u2013 Chris Trowell TDC<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#6\">6. Update to NHS Restructure \u2013 Matthew Chetwynd<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#future-meeting-dates\">Future Meeting Dates:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column doc-content is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<article class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a\">Attendees: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Melanie Sealey (Chair), Keir Duffin, Patrick Rafferty, Paul Britton, Ian Thompson, Matt Dodd, Tom Phillips, Isabel Blake, Kevin Mills, \u00a0Michael Curtis, Sean Kearney, Mathew Chetwynd, Natalie Haines, Chris Trowell, Georgina Gillott, Megan Cross, Hannah Dixon (Minutes)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-1\">Apologies: <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jody Brown, Sean Anstee, Ian Collinson, Neil Blaney, Sayid Deksan, Sarah Jane Mackenzie-Shapland, Sarah Miles, Chris Fuller, Iain Masters, Andrew Collier, Chris Watts, Helen Bone, Sarah Ratnage, Tim Child, Adrian Welsh, David Carter, Catherine Turner, Chris Bartlett, Chris Shears, Claire Cushion, Dave Harwood, David Lang, Dominie Dunbrook, Laura Jayne Haynes, Mike Deaton<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-minutes-from-the-previous-meeting\">1. Minutes from the Previous Meeting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>1.1 Minutes from the previous meeting agreed as an accurate record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"public-sector-co-location-business-case-update-ian-thompson\">2. Public sector co-location \/ Business case update \u2013 Ian Thompson<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>2.1 Ilfracombe Health &amp; Wellbeing Hub:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Work has focused on developing the technical detail and potential layouts with NHS and DCC teams.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Further workshops with DCC operational teams are planned to refine the layout to reflect DCC requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>2.2 Exeter Jobcentre (DWP) Relocation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Exeter Library is being explored as a potential co\u2011location site for:<ul><li>DWP Jobcentre<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>DCC \/ Library services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The library building offers:<ul><li>A central Exeter location<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Large open plan areas, meeting rooms, basement and upper office floors<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Multiple access points suitable for public access, staff, and secure meetings (important for DWP)<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Direct access to the refurbished children\u2019s library<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3\">3. BLRF Bid Update \u2013 Keir Duffin \/ Paul Britton<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>3.1 The recent mini round of Brownfield Land Release Funding (BLRF) launched in December with a relatively small national pot of \u00a320 million. Despite limited funding, Devon and Torbay performed well (roughly 10% of the total national fund) due to coordinated work across a strong local system: good governance, highq uality bids, and strong delivery record, giving Devon a consistently high success rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3.2 The successful projects were:Sherborne House &#8211; has been approved by the Minister and funding is confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>St George\u2019s Road (Barnstaple) recommended for approval, pending ministerial signoff expected next week.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rope Walk (Kingsbridge) recommended for approval, pending ministerial signoff expected next week.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A late submission not previously brought to the Board \u2014 the Harlequin Centre redevelopment in Exeter \u2014 is also progressing. The scheme includes ~300 flats, around 20% affordable housing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>3.3 If all schemes are approved, this funding round could support around 367 new homes in Devon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3.4 A total of 367 homes supported locally, with \u00a32.1m funding, demonstrating high success and credibility in Devon\u2019s bidding process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3.5 A new three year BLRF programme is expected to launch in the summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3.6 Work has begun to explore whether other public sector landowners (NHS, police, ambulance, etc.) could bring forward sites for potential housing redevelopment. This exploration is still early stage but could help unlock, derisk, and remediate surplus public land for new homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4\">4. Devon and Torbay CCA &#8211; Housing Plan &#8211; Matt Dodd<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>4.1 The housing strategy is now published and available online &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonandtorbay-cca.gov.uk\/our-priorities\/housing\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Housing &#8211; Devon and Torbay<\/a> . It aims to identify common issues and gaps across housing authorities, and to address the most pressing priorities for the Devon &amp; Torbay area. The strategy will need to respond to emerging national policy, including the recent Homelessness Strategy and Warm Homes Plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4.2 A key focus will be continuing to develop the housing pipeline with Homes England and local housing authorities. The pipeline has already proved useful in identifying potential interventions. Over the last year, nearly \u00a31 million of Homes England revenue funding has been secured for Devon and Torbay. The pipeline includes both strategic sites and smaller regeneration sites, which align well with Brownfield Land Release Fund work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4.3 A major upcoming requirement is the creation of a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The SDS:<ul><li>Operates at a broader geographic scale than former county plans, but smaller than historic regional spatial plans.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Will guide long\u2011term housing growth (20\u201330 years) and infrastructure planning.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Must be completed by 2029, within this Parliament.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early steps taken:<ul><li>Initial meeting of planning directors.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Engagement with MHCLG about support and guidance.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Government releasing guidance gradually, with more expected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>4.4 There will be regular updates to the Housing Advisory Group and CCA Board. <strong>ACTION: Matt to have a regular agenda item at this meeting, future updates may focus on specific policy areas<\/strong>, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Support for community led housing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work with housing associations on stock disposal and local authority involvement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>4.5 Matt highlighted the value of lessons learned by the OPE and feedback, especially around brownfield land release and cross\u2011cutting themes (e.g., health, climate, housing in all policies). He welcomed ongoing collaboration and will continue to seek input from the group.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/article>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5\">5. Presentation on Sherbourne House development \/ BLRF Funded \u2013 Chris Trowell TDC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>5.1 Teignbridge District Council is a largely rural area with towns such as Newton Abbot, Dawlish and Teignmouth, plus a significant part of Dartmoor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>5.2 A new Local Plan to 2040 is due for adoption next month, after which a new housing strategy will be developed and aligned with wider Devon housing strategies. Housing need is high &#8211; 1,614 households currently seeking affordable rented homes, 72% need 1\u20132 bed properties, with nearly half needing one bed homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>5.3 Housing Market Challenges: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Most new homes locally are large edge of town strategic developments by volume housebuilders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These deliver mainly 2\u20133 bed units, with very few apartments or specialist housing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Town centre development is limited due to:<ul><li>Higher build costs<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Lower market values<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reduced viability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>5.4 The Sherbourne House Site:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A brownfield site in a highly prominent town centre location.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>5.5 Specifics of the build:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>23 homes: a mix of 1\u2011 and 2\u2011bed flats, matching identified need.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ground floor includes two fully wheelchair accessible homes built as adaptable shells.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aims for a mixed community, including encouraging downsizing from larger family homes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>100% social rent \u2013 the only truly affordable tenure, and a priority for Teignbridge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Designed to be an exemplar scheme for others to follow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Built to Passivhaus Plus standard:<ul><li>Extremely energy efficient<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Generates its own energy (e.g. PV panels)<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Net zero operational energy and no carbon emissions from its operation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attractive brick frontage onto the main road.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Softer rear elevation with balconies and resident amenity space.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pitched roof reflecting local character.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>5.6 It was initially unviable, with a \u00a32.2 million funding gap. The Council approved it only on the basis that external funding was secured. Homes England funding helped\u2014but the BLRF allocation (just over \u00a3500k) was essential to make the scheme viable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>5.7 Build contract to be entered before end of March, enabling BLRF drawdown. Start on site planned for spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>5.8 This is the largest capital project Teignbridge has undertaken in 30\u201340 years, a flagship example of how councils can unlock difficult brownfield sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6\">6. Update to NHS Restructure \u2013 Matthew Chetwynd<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>6.1 The NHS is undergoing a full organisational restructure, aligned to government policy to shift care from acute settings into community and neighbourhood services. This shift has major estates implications, requiring more community-based facilities rather than hospital centric estates. Operational and day-to-day functions will transfer to providers, with the ICB retaining strategic commissioning &amp; strategic estates functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>6.2 The challenges are Devon\u2019s geography (large, rural, dispersed) making this complex and that funding and workforce resources will reduce, raising concerns about whether providers can realistically take on the ICB\u2019s current estates workload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>6.3 National policy requires ICBs serving under 1 million population to merge, as a result Devon and Cornwall ICBs will formally join, the joint working begins April 2026 and the full statutory merger planned for April 2027. This will reshape governance, funding flows and operational structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>6.4 Mathew highlighted a major opportunity for local authorities. Private developers for health estate schemes are limited, the ICB is actively seeking local authority partners who could:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Option A \u2013 Act as the developer<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bring forward new health and community buildings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take schemes from planning to delivery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Option B \u2013 Act as the investor<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use PWLB borrowing or reserves to fund schemes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lease back to NHS providers on long-term arrangements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>6.5 The ICB has a \u00a3300 million estates pipeline over the next 15 years. A formal framework could be developed to support joint working. The NHS is not only looking for surplus LA buildings, but they are also actively seeking LA development and investment partners to bring forward new schemes as alternatives to the private market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>6.6 Teams requiring co-location options include community midwives, community matrons and district nursing teams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>6.7 Possible partnerships:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fire and Rescue Service sites (suggested due to their strategic geographic spread)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>District and County Council buildings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other public sector locations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ACTION: Kevin Mills (Fire Service) offered to pick this up offline \u2013 Matthew to pick this up with Kevin.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>6.8 Open invitation for partners with space available in West Cornwall \u2013 this is particularly needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>6.9 <strong>ACTION: Keir to have a conversation with Mattew re:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Potential partner sites<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Community nursing accommodation needs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Geographic distribution<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"future-meeting-dates\">Future Meeting Dates:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Wednesday 15<sup>th<\/sup> April 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wednesday 15<sup>th<\/sup> July 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wednesday 21<sup>st<\/sup> October 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_0589bd278681a5878fce11186c0bccfa\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\">Published <time datetime=\"2026-03-25T09:48:37+00:00\">25\/03\/2026 9:48am<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\">Last Updated <time datetime=\"2026-03-25T09:48:41+00:00\">25\/03\/2026 9:48am<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Attendees: Melanie Sealey (Chair), Keir Duffin, Patrick Rafferty, Paul Britton, Ian Thompson, Matt Dodd, Tom Phillips, Isabel Blake, Kevin Mills, \u00a0Michael Curtis, Sean Kearney, Mathew Chetwynd, Natalie Haines, Chris Trowell, Georgina Gillott, Megan Cross, Hannah Dixon (Minutes) Apologies: Jody Brown, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/document\/ope-partnership-board\/\" aria-label=\"Continue reading OPE Partnership Board\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2829,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"documents_category":[],"class_list":["post-5743","dcc_docs_document","type-dcc_docs_document","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":null,"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents\/5743","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/dcc_docs_document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2829"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents\/5743\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5744,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents\/5743\/revisions\/5744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5743"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"dcc_docs_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/documents_category?post=5743"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}