Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director – Assets and Property.

The Corporate Director for Property and Assets introduced the item and gave a presentation which is attached to these minutes. The purpose and the strategic priorities were outlined. The asset review was on track to be completed by 2024.

The committee asked questions and made comments on the update. The following key points were raised:

• There was sufficient officer resource to meet the date of the asset review.
• The council needs to be confident on the assets it owns because of the money it costs.
• There were assets with limited information due to the information transferred during local government reorganisation.
• The SWAP audit highlighted issues which have been addressed through the property and asset governance arrangements.
• There should be more consultation with local members about assets.
• Members have an opportunity for a ‘ward walk’ with a senior officer from the place directorate.
• Executive Directors needed to drive development and keep pressure on services to enable the asset review to be delivered on time.
• The asset management plan should have a ‘RAG’ system to help scrutiny monitor the plan in the future.
• A member felt the officer to desk ratio could create problems in the future.
• The council was not currently seeing a pressure on workspaces but there was a need for more collaboration space. Workspace need was reviewed on a team-by-team basis.
• Employees working from home needed a good level of broadband connectivity.

The committee agreed to create a task and finish group on agile working. It would add value to the organisation through members’ own experience of agile working in their role as a councillor and reviewing how other organisations are working.

The Committee noted the intention to develop a new Strategic Asset Management Plan.