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Agenda item

Asset Management Strategy Update

Purpose

To provide the Overview & Scrutiny Committee with a report of the Cotswold District Council’s Property & Assets Portfolio.

 

Accountable Member

Cllr Patrick Coleman - Cabinet Member for Property & Assets

 

Report Author

Alan Hope - Head of Strategic Housing, Property & Assets

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to provide the Overview & Scrutiny Committee with a report of the Cotswold District Council’s Property & Assets Portfolio.

 

The report was introduced by Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, and Alan Hope, Head of Strategic Housing, Property and Assets and Harry Penman, Estates and Valuation lead, who highlighted the following points:

•          Council assets were managed in line with the 2024 Asset Management Strategy, whilst taking account of the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation. Decisions were made with regard to the future unitary authority and that arrangements had been developed to avoid inappropriate disposal of assets. The recent Government announcement had created further uncertainty over the future approach.

 

In questioning and discussion, the following points were noted:

 

Many Members considered that the asset schedule would be more useful if it included additional information such as market and book values, income generated, capital expenditure and the purpose and strategic value of individual assets.

 

Members supported the development of a more systematic approach to the management of Council assets, including thoughtful classification of assets and relevant information to support strategic decision-making by officers and Cabinet. Officers advised that bringing information together from existing systems was possible, but that a fully integrated database would require significant time and resources and was not considered feasible in the short term, particularly given the uncertainty around LGR. It was suggested that a proportionate approach should focus on strategically significant and higher-value assets, while considering how a more effective system could be developed over the longer term.

 

Members also highlighted examples of assets where their purpose or management was unclear and emphasised the need for a more comprehensive, multidimensional asset strategy.

 

A request to identify the ward that each asset is located was received.

Concern was raised that where a Council asset generated significant revenue from tourism, there could be a perceived conflict between maximising income from the asset and the impact of its use on the local community. It was suggested that greater clarity on the revenue generated and the wider community impact would be important should the matter be subject to further challenge.

 

Officers advised that further information could be provided on individual assets, including capital values, income and the strategic approach to their management. There had been a focus on addressing compliance issues identified through internal audit, alongside work to identify assets for potential disposal.

 

Officers explained that the disposal of the Hereford property was progressing with a preferred bidder and was expected to be brought to Cabinet for approval to proceed. The other two out-of-district investment properties were being actively marketed. The value achieved for the Hereford property was above its net book value but below the £1 million threshold.

 

Councillor Jenkinson proposed that Cabinet consider developing a more comprehensive system for classifying and managing Council assets, bringing together information such as value, income, use, costs and future options. He suggested that this would support more informed strategic decisions and improve efficiency, including in the context of LGR. Officers advised that relevant information was currently held across different systems and could be brought together to provide a more comprehensive picture, but that developing a single consolidated database would require significant time and resources.

 

Recommendation:

To ask officers to identify the capital assets of most strategic value to the Council and provide relevant background information. This should include the district ward in which they are located, current use, capital value and income generation along with additional information as appropriate.

 

Proposed by Councillor Jon Wareing seconded Councillor Michael Vann

Voting Record

4= For, 1= Abstain, 1=Against

Supporting documents:

 

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