Improvement Service

A supporting document to 'Room for Improvement: Strategic Asset Management in Local Government', the Audit Commission’s national report on property asset management. It provides more detail on some of the case studies from the report and other examples of good practice in asset management. Examples of good practice are taken from Wandsworth Borough Council, Sevenoaks District Council, Lancashire County Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Wychavon District Council and Hampshire County Council.  

A report from the Accounts Commission which presents the results of an evaluation of the extent to which councils manage their assets to ensure effective service provision and achieve value for money. The report makes recommendations for improving the management of local government assets; examines how councils manage property assets; outlines the key aspects of good asset management; and highlights the key stages in the asset management process.  It also looks at how improved asset management and partnership working can improve council efficiency.

Report on the treatment of common good assets and funds by Scottish councils. This research was carried out as part of a broader study of the management of land and property assets by Scotland's councils (see 'Property Asset Management in Scotland's Councils: Moving Forward').

A report on property asset management across Scottish local authorities. The report is based on data from 30 of the 32 councils in Scotland. The study focused on three main aspects of property asset management: the arrangement councils have in place for the corporate planning and management of property assets. the core information councils hold on their property assets including the volume of assets they hold; the condition of those assets; the 'fitness for purpose'/suitability of those assets; and the value. the arrangements in place for accounting for assets and the performance of assets in supporting delivery of services and strategic objectives.

The improvement bulletin series focuses on key issues of relevance to local government improvement in Scotland. They highlight recent news, publications, case studies, research and information on particular issues. Each bulletin deals with a specific aspect of local government improvement, depending on what's topical at the moment. This month the bulletin focuses on asset management.

A presentation given at the Best Value Conference in May 2006. Best Value implies a duty on local authorities to secure continuous improvement through their Corporate Management arrangements. This session explored incentives and possibilities for increasing effectiveness in the challenging field of Property Asset Management and the Improvement Service role in supporting innovation and best practice.

Detailed questionnaire relating to Asset Strategy.

This questionnaire is part of a comprehensive research project on corporate property asset management, being carried out by the Improvement Service. This particular questionnaire relates to perceptions and views held by Chief Executives. The data collected by this survey will be used to prepare an overview of the development of strategic property asset management in Scottish local authorities and the role of Key Strategic Managers.