Agency to set up local stewardship partnerships to deal with RDA assets

The Homes & Communities Agency has vowed to work closely with local partners in handling assets previously owned by regional development agencies.

The Agency said it would be establishing Local Stewardship Partnerships (LSPs) with local authorities, local enterprise partnerships, businesses and other bodies “who will play a key role in determining the future of these assets in line with local objectives”.

The HCA’s comments came after the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills published a list of RDA land and property assets being transferred to the Agency.

The assets will sit as a National Programme within the Agency’s work, and the HCA will be accountable to Government for the effective management and disposal of the portfolio.

The process of transferring RDA assets has taken place in stages and is expected to be completed by 19 September.

In August, the Agency took on a portfolio of 52 coalfield land and property assets from the RDAs. The majority of these assets were previously owned by the Agency (formerly English Partnerships) as part of the National Coalfields Programme.

Pat Ritchie, the Agency’s chief executive, said the DBIS announcement marked a key milestone in the RDA land and property asset transfer to the HCA.

She added: “We look forward to the completion of this process, and building on our existing relationships with local partners to deliver the best outcome for local communities through future development and disposal of the former RDA assets.”

A map of RDA assets approved for transfer to the HCA can be viewed here.