The Management and Delivery of Effective CPOs

In order to deliver regeneration, urban renewal, infrastructure and housing, land is required. For projects with a significant public benefit, compulsory purchase powers are available. CPO land assembly is the most effective tool available and a confirmed CPO is frequently a catalyst to negotiate.

Local Authorities are by far the primary users of CPO powers, but increasingly the emergence of joint venture agreements, with a private developer, provides an access to CPO powers. In both cases, it is essential the authority understands the CPO system and the responsibilities that come with it. They must also adhere to best and effective practice, otherwise, the CPO can fail and, in such instances, will result in substantial costs, delay and poor publicity.

Acquiring Authorities have experienced huge structural change and funding in the past eight years and skills have potentially been lost. CPO skills and processes are complex and there needs to be a fundamental understanding of the whole process. There is the need for a collaborative approach amongst the property, legal, planning and regeneration teams to deliver effectively the scheme in a timely and cost effective way. With a recognised need to understand and enter into meaningful and early dialog with claimants or a failure to do so is likely to slow down projects, increase conflict, intransigence, litigation; all of which increase costs.

The law, case law and best practice has evolved, and this programme will provide a valuable insight to what is best practice. 

This course is aimed at property professionals, planners, lawyers, and regeneration teams within acquiring authorities; whether they are project managers, key in-house staff or staff responsible for managing outsourced consultants who are delivering the CPO. 

There is particular value in authorities sending representatives from the various professions mentioned; collaboration, mutual understanding or the various roles and team working are needed to maximise the management of the CPO and to minimise risk.