Agenda item

3.         One Public Estate Update

3.1       Freddie Murray presented this report. One Public Estate (OPE) is an initiative delivered in partnership by the Cabinet Office Government Property Unit and the Local Government Association. It provides practical and technical support and funding to Councils to deliver ambitious property-focused programmes.

3.2       The Lewisham Partnership submitted an expression of interest in May 2016 and received £50k to fund the preparation of a full bid. Lewisham’s bid was successful and the Partnership were awarded £200k, from an initial ask of £500k, to facilitate the progress of three main projects:

·         Development of a Strategic Plan for Ladywell, centring around the former Ladywell Leisure Centre site.

·         Reconfiguration of the Lewisham Hospital site for the provision of a neighbourhood “hub”, mental health bed / SLaM re-provision and other new service facilities.

·         Reconfiguration of Downham Health and Leisure Centre to facilitate a neighbourhood “hub”.

3.3       Lewisham Strategic Plan – This has not progressed as quickly as hoped due to the complexity of land ownership and the need for more extensive public consultation. It is intended that work over the next six months will give more focus to the long term future of the former Leisure Centre site.

3.4       Lewisham Hospital Site Reconfiguration – Design and consultation work has started to identify the development opportunity on the hospital site. These proposals focus around land and buildings which don’t form part of the acute service provision. The outline proposals include potential for new service accommodation including: a neighbourhood “hub”, a new SLaM mental health facility; Stepdown facility, Care Home and Skills Academy. Lewisham and Greenwich Trust (LGT) have begun to engage the Council’s Planning Department with a view to entering into a formal pre-application process in the New Year.

3.5       Downham – First stage of the feasibility study was completed earlier in the year. This was around understanding the building and the PFI contract in more detail as well as which areas of the building could be released and the resulting financial effects on the income within the building. Alongside this has been work to identify which and what type of services could move into the building. Space planners have been appointed to look at the building and opportunities in more detail.

3.6       Funding for Phase 6 of OPE is now open and existing partnerships have been invited to make further applications. Specifically Lewisham’s application will seek funding for:

·         Further work to support development of the Lewisham Hospital site reconfiguration and neighbourhood “hub”;

·         Work to further develop the potential “hub” opportunity in Downham;

·         Potential for redevelopment of Sydenham Green health facility for new health facilities and housing;

·         Redevelopment potential of health centres in Lee and Honor Oak for new health facilities and housing.

3.7       The Board raised the following questions regarding the One Public Estate update:

            Q: How effectively can the NHS respond to pressures in London re estates?

            A: The One Public Estate initiative has better links into NHS estates personnel, with earlier engagement and more effective lines of communication. Local-level discussions are robust, with clear partnership arrangements and plans.

            Q: What effect has the Naylor Review had on OPE?

            A: This review doesn’t propose local solutions re capital receipts, rather money would be returned to the Treasury for re-allocation. In contrast OPE provides solutions re capital receipts that will bring about improvements to housing, health and employment at a local level.

            Q: Has there been any thought to buying-out relevant PFIs?

            A: PFIs are under constant review. To date there are no sound business cases re buy-out and advice received is that buy-out does not provide value for money.

3.8       Action: The Board noted the contents of the report.