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