4.68 This workstrand has established the key areas that need to be addressed to achieve a well- managed and efficient estate across the public sector. They are:
• focused and engaged senior management with access to the right expertise;
• a system of strong incentives and controls for efficient property use;
• good data, guidance and KPIs; and
• collaboration and sharing of property across organisational boundaries.
4.69 To this end this workstrand recommends:
• a new central property function to help drive efficient use of property across the whole of the public sector;
• steps to facilitate investment in property transformation; and
• actions to achieve change among local authorities and their partners.
4.70 The recommendations are integral with those relating to accountability and performance management set out in the Executive Summary.
4.71 The property strand has identified the potential for significant running cost savings and capital receipts from the disposal of surplus property. However, without a strong concerted drive from the centre, and a clear commitment to change from senior level leadership, these efficiency savings will not be realised.
4.72 Accordingly, the priorities for implementation should be:
• establishing the new structures recommended in this report;
• initiating the development of core datasets and benchmarks, in cooperation with appropriate professional and other organisations;
• working with departments (and, through them, with the bodies they sponsor, for example NHS trusts and local authorities) to put in place the frameworks and mechanisms needed to ensure a step change in the efficient management and use of property, including facilities management;
• working with audit and inspection bodies to ensure new standards and/or targets are reflected in their audit/inspection regimes;
• ensuring HM Treasury works with departments to develop a good understanding of their property performance, so that targets are intelligent and the capital spending allocation is set so that it drives greater efficiency; and
• promoting cross-department, cross-agency collaboration and sharing of property, at national, regional and local levels.
4.73 There is much work to be done to take these recommendations forward. The creation of the new structures needs to be planned well by suitably skilled experts and put in place as soon as possible after Budget 2009.
4.74 The estimated property efficiencies are ambitious and represent a significant challenge for the whole public sector. However, taken together the recommendations from this workstrand will help to make this goal achievable and realistic.