Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Estates and Property Manager regarding the Council’s Asset Management Plan.

Noted the Council's management of assets against National Property Performance Indicators for 2008/2009.

The Cabinet received a report by the Head of Law, Property and Governance (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the Council's management of assets against national property performance management indicators for 2008/2009.

Having noted that registration of all land and property with the land registry was nearly completed and that work was progressing to incorporate all information relating to the Council's property ownership and asset management on a new computerised database, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the report be noted, together with performance management indicator information contained in Appendix A.

To consider and comment on a report by the Head of Law, Property and Governance containing a review of progress against the Council’s Asset Management Plan prior to its submission to the Cabinet.

With the aid of a report by the Head of Law, Property and Governance (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel considered the Annual Report on the performance of the Council’s assets against a range of criteria prior to its submission to Cabinet. In noting the changes in performance compared with the previous year and other issues highlighted by the Performance Management Indicators, Members were advised that generally the Council’s performance compared favourably with other authorities.  It was stressed that the compilation of some figures had been delayed to take into account the new offices at Pathfinder House once they had been completed.

In response to a question by a Member regarding energy consumption, it was explained that the increases reported were mainly attributable to the Leisure Centres but that improvements to the Centres were likely to reduce their energy consumption owing to improved building techniques. It was also anticipated that the implementation of the Council’s Energy Efficiency Strategy would produce improvements in energy efficiency. Members suggested that opportunities to introduce further energy efficiency measures should be explored but they stressed that this should take account of the full environmental cost of construction and running facilities. The Estates and Property Manager undertook to provide Members with more information on this subject.

Following a further question on the level of grant funding available through the Community Assets Fund, Members were advised that the Council currently had no suitable projects that would qualify for grant aid from the Fund; however, applications would be made to other sources for funding to improve Council assets.

Members noted the asset management achievements during 2008/09, which included the opening of Block D, Pathfinder House, the completion of the Creative Exchange and the construction of an extension to the Café at Hinchingbrooke Country Park. Having been informed that delays by the Land Registry had meant that work to introduce a corporate database containing information relating to property ownership and asset management had not yet been completed, it was

RESOLVED

  that the report be endorsed for submission to the Cabinet.