In a letter to leaders, Reed said this was ‘an exciting opportunity to align health and wellbeing, and regeneration objectives, leading to healthier and more prosperous communities'.

Reed said: ‘We strongly encourage you to engage proactively with your ICB to ensure proposals take account of, and where possible align with, your local priorities on regeneration (including high streets), public health and economic development.'

NHS regions have been given to 28 May to set out their criteria for the next wave of neighbourhood health centres following the publication of NHS England guidance.

The Government has committed to opening 250 neighbourhood health centres, including upgrades and new builds, by 2035.

Reed said: ‘To develop proposals for establishing neighbourhood health centres, we expect ICBs to be conducting rapid engagement with key partners, including local authorities

The secretary of state urged local authorities to consider:

• mapping vacant or/underused properties that could be suitable for delivering
  neighbourhood health services and align with your regeneration plans
• whether NHS tenants could be supported with favourable terms where affordable for local authority owned property
• highlighting local authority facilities where co-location with NHS services may be
  possible
• proactively engaging ICBs to improve utilisation of NHS estates in town centres,
  considering opportunities for co-locating services.
• assisting ICBs with convening key local stakeholders and support community
  engagement.
• considering ways to remove planning barriers to neighbourhood health and include in emerging Local Plans.

An LGA spokesperson said: ‘Local government has long been at the heart of communities' health and wellbeing, and councils are well placed to help shape neighbourhood health centres that are easily accessible, rooted in local places and trusted by their communities.  This way of working is not new to councils.

 ‘This guidance is a step forward, but it will be important that the approach works for the long term and supports high‑quality delivery on the ground. Health and wellbeing does not begin in hospitals – it begins in our homes, streets, parks, and schools, and neighbourhood health centres must be embedded in the places where people live their lives.

‘If we are to get this right for our communities, local government must be treated as an equal partner. We look forward to working closely with Government and NHS partners to develop neighbourhood health centres that are sustainable in the long term and genuinely meet local needs.'