All local authorities face a similar challenge of modernising service delivery and getting the most from their resources. By prioritising property and asset management, working with a variety of partners, aligning assets to priorities and assessing whether our asset base is performing at its best, we will be more able to use our assets to meet our challenges.
Benefits of good asset management
There are both financial and non-financial benefits, of good asset management. The following list sets out some of the benefits of good asset management, although it is worth recognising that at times these benefits may conflict with each other. Good asset management can:
- deliver exceptional services for citizens, aligned with locally agreed priorities, whilst focusing investment clearly on need
- empower communities and stimulate debate
- improve the economic well-being of an area
- ensure that, once built, assets are correctly maintained
- Introduce new working practices and trigger cultural organisational changes
- reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental sustainability
- increase co-location, partnership working and sharing of knowledge
- improve the accessibility of services and ensure compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
- generate efficiency gains, capital receipts, or an income stream
- improve the quality of the public realm