Agenda item

(1)       Mr Gough, Ms Spore and Mr Brown introduce the County Council’s draft Asset Management Strategy which aimed to set the high-level strategic framework for managing the County Councils property portfolio effectively over the next 3 years. It would guide future strategic property decisions to ensure that the property portfolio was managed sustainably and efficiently so that it could adapt to remain fit for the future.

(2)       Mr Gough, Ms Spore and Mr Brown noted comments and answered questions from Members which included the following:

·        In response to a question on whether it would be more cost effective for the County Council to use a property company to manage its assets, Ms Spore explained that one of the issues with using a property company would be the loss of control and flexibility in relation to the asset.  There was a tension between the savings that the County Council could potentially make by using this method and the control of assets over time. It would be more difficult to maximise disposals to fund capital if the asset was tied up in a company.  It was not a one size fits all.  The County Council did partner with property companies when the risk profile showed that it was right to do so in order to drive best value.  She stated that she was conscious that when the county council disposed of its property it did so in the right way and there were certain processes that had to be gone through.  She stated that with every property that they disposed of they looked at the appropriate costs against the risks and decided upon the best way to dispose of the asset.

·        A Member emphasised the importance of working collaboratively across the public sector for the benefit of all tax payers, Mr Gough confirmed that this was the intention. 

·        Mr Brown undertook to discuss with Mrs Deanoutside of the meeting the policy in relation to local groups using KCC premising continuing to benefit from the County Council’s VAT free status.

·        In relation to questions on energy efficient and environmental impact officers confirmed that they worked with the Director of Planning and Environment to make sure that KCC properties were energy efficient. Reference was also made to KCC Environmental policy.  There had also been investment in LED lighting throughout Sessions House and also solar panels had been installed on Invicta House.  Officers confirmed that they tapped into external funding for such projects wherever possible. 

·        Mr Brown undertook to supply members of the Committee with details of the asset collaboration pilots in Sevenoaks and Dartford when this work was finished.

·        The Chairman emphasised the importance of keeping local Members informed of major projects within their Electoral Divisions.

(4)       RESOLVED That the:

            (a)  progress to date on the development of the draft Asset        Management Strategy be noted

            (b) proposed approach, including the indicative timescale and engagement approach be endorsed

             (c) that the comments made by Members on the early draft strategy, as part of their pre-scrutiny role to help shape policy development, ahead of the proposed Cabinet Member decision to approve the strategy in May 2013 be noted.