The Local Government Association (LGA) has recently conducted research into public bodies working together to share facilities, land and buildings, stating that ‘buildings which are no longer affordable as single-use facilities could be saved from closure if public bodies work together using a ‘united estate’ model’.
TheLGA writes:
A new study by the Local Government Association (LGA) has found that when public organisations, such as councils or the emergency services, share their land and buildings with similar agencies they can combine to manage fewer properties. If this model is widely adopted, it could provide a viable alternative to the closure of service buildings which are no longer affordable as single-use facilities.
Thirty-four councils took part in three waves of the Capital & Asset Programme, which was designed to encourage councils to use their land and property assets to achieve savings in running costs for the taxpayer, generate capital receipts for re-investment in other service priorities, and to help deliver economic growth and jobs. An evaluation report on the LGA programme has been published today.
The report also found the public estate can be used to promote local economic growth. All the councils which took part said their council was more likely to seek opportunities to promote economic growth from their asset holdings since joining the LGA’s Pathfinder programme.
Findings suggest potential for public bodies to provide better value for money by working together, and to take an integrated view of customer needs and services in local places.
Cllr Peter Fleming, Chair of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said ‘Councils have a long track record of rationalising their estates and of getting value for local tax payers. In particular, we can see the benefits of councils working with the emergency services and other public sector organisations. This shows some buildings could be saved from closure if organisations work together.
‘Savings made through asset management can be invested into public services for the benefit of the community. There is also a real potential for local economic growth. Councils will continue to make savings by rationalising their assets and we look forward to seeing more money saved across the country, money which will be reinvested in vital public services.’
