THE executive director of the Government Property Unit (GPU) at the Cabinet Office has been appointed chairman of a new Shadow Shareholder Group designed to oversee the creation of a ground-breaking regional property management unit in the West Midlands.

A Joint Property Vehicle (JPV) is currently being explored by a number of public sector partners in the West Midlands which, if approved, could see the creation of a single property unit tasked with overseeing the management of public sector estates in the region.

The approach would be the first of its kind anywhere in the UK and would be intended to help protect frontline services while delivering property-related revenue savings of around £110.7 million between 2015 and 2025.

The partners currently exploring the potential of a JPV include Herefordshire Council, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Redditch Borough Council, Warwickshire Police, West Mercia Police, Worcestershire County Council and Worcester City Council.

Each partner has approved the development of a Full Business Case, which is expected to be submitted for approval by each partner later in the year. That will establish how the JPV will be governed, developed and what its role and responsibilities will be. If approved by the partners, the JPV is expected to be launched in early 2015.

Bruce Mann’s appointment as chairman of the Shadow Shareholder Group is described as "a significant milestone" and will bring Central Government property and finance experience and knowledge to the project.

Jim Stobie, programme manager for the JPV, said: “Bruce’s appointment is an important and exciting step for the project and we’re delighted to have his involvement as we continue to explore its full potential.

"The JPV is a unique and progressive opportunity to get best value from the local public sector estate and make sure we continue to deliver frontline services for people living in the region.”

The JPV already has support from a range of Government stakeholders, including GPU and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), which provided £150,000 for an initial feasibility study.

The JPV partners were also recently successful in being awarded £400,000 from the Transformational Challenge Fund for 2014-2016 to support the design phase.

Mr Mann said: “The One Public Estate programme - of which Worcestershire was a trailblazer - has proven the benefits of public sector partners working together on the strategic management of their combined property estate.

"The JPV takes this a step further and aims to manage regional public sector assets. It’s an excellent premise that will help generate huge benefits to local communities and I’m looking forward to working with the team.”