Asset Management Strategy 2007 - 2011

6.0 Recommendations from the Asset Management Group

6.1 Purpose

The Asset Management Strategy Group is tasked with keeping the land and property owned by Thanet under review so that the Council can plan maintenance works and record the value of its property for financial reporting. In addition the Group does make recommendations on potential land and property transactions. Usually these will be disposals to fund objectives set out in the Corporate Plan. By exception there may be acquisitions to recommend if they support Corporate Plan objectives, typically in connection with economic regeneration. But even in those cases where purchase of property is recommended, other disposals would be needed to fund the acquisition.

6.2 Criteria for recommending disposal

Land and property identified as potentially surplus will be recommended for disposal if it satisfies the following criteria.

In disrepair, and not capable of renovation at reasonable cost	Yes	No
No alternate occupancy or usage viable including community occupancy (reference Quirk report)	Yes	No
Condition of land/property is a cause of complaint and/or breaches Statute or Health and Safety requirements	Yes	No
The property does NOT support the Corporate Plan	Yes	No
Value, through disposal or, development agreement, will produce significant receipt to fund the Corporate Plan	Yes	No

When making recommendations to Cabinet on potential disposals officers will state why a particular site does meet the criteria.

6.3 Options

Once it is agreed that the criteria justify either investment by way of redevelopment, or disposal, the Asset Management Group will consider how value can be added by the securing of a planning consent. Should that be so, a process, in accordance with Planning Law, of public consultation is undertaken.

Alternatively, the Group could decide to redevelop a site with one of Thanet's appointed 'Preferred Development Partners'. This would generate an initial receipt, and then agreed proportion of profit, giving the advantage of phased receipt of income.

Both approaches make it possible for the Council to 'shape' what happens to the site or building concerned, and ensure that outcomes accord with the Corporate Plan. Better still, working with development partners helps us control timescale. The public do not like to see land previously in public ownership sold and then simply land-banked.

When making recommendations to Cabinet, as outlined in the Asset Management Plan (Section 7), Officers will always make clear the option recommended.

6.4 The Process

Review of assets is an ongoing job for officers. But recommendations for disposal will be made on an annual basis in the form of a schedule. The schedule will be produced in advance of budget setting, because it is an essential part of the subsequent capital programme. In short decisions on disposals will be taken before budget setting.

please click on image to enlarge

6.5 Decision Taking

The final decision on disposals, or acquisitions, will always be taken by elected members in Cabinet. Public consultation will help members to reach their decision, indeed public engagement is a cornerstone of the Asset Management Plan. It is important that the public understands how public property is being used to achieve the Corporate Plan.

Next: Strategic Analysis

Back to: 2007/11 Asset Management Plan

Contents

Introduction and Mission Statement

Strategic Decision-taking

2007/11 Asset Management Plan

Monitoring & Performance

Environmental Services