GovNet Communications

• Train to Gain scheme reaches 1 million workers
• Integrating Employment & Skills Conference 2010
• Joined-up approach needed to deal with the UK’s ageing population
• Delivering citizen-focused services for improved operational efficiency
• Recession means health at work is more important than ever

Public sector asset managers can save the taxpayer millions of pounds

Property asset managers in the public sector can play a vital role in fighting climate change and save the taxpayer millions of pounds, money which can be diverted into better public services. That was the message from the Asset Management 09 conference at London’s QEII centre on 25 November held by GovNet Communications.

Mike Burt, Director of Government Estate Transformation at the Office of Government Commerce, said the government estate is on course to achieve 30% savings on its £3.5bn annual running cost by 2013. Savings of £500,000 a year have already been achieved, for example with 20,000 civil service posts already relocated out of London and the South East and a further 4,000 targeted. The OGC is also working on further relocations in the medium term. The government estate has reached parity with the private sector on the amount of space allocated per staff member.

Burt called for more flexible working across the government estate: “The concept that you don’t have to commute to the same office to achieve your work objectives is where we need to be going. It is about treating work not as a place where you go, but something that you do.”

Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, Chief Executive of Defence Estates and Head of the Government’s newly-created Property Asset Management Profession, said education and training courses will be developed to plug skills gaps in public sector property management. “It’s time for property managers to stand up and be counted,” he said.

William Jordan, Chief Sustainability and Operating Officer at the Office of Government Commerce, admitted that the government estate had failed to hit some sustainability targets when reviewed by the Sustainable Development Commission. However, there are signs of progress, with CO2 emissions from the estate offices projected to fall 16.9% against baseline targets by the 2010/11 fiscal year. “This is a good start but there is a lot more to do,” Jordan said.

Speakers from Carillion emphasised the importance of working in partnerships. Nicky Wise, New Project Development Manager at Inspired Spaces, part of Carillion, said: “Getting partnerships right is massively important.” Inspired Places is working on the Building Schools for the Future programme as part of the South Tyneside and Gateshead Local Education Partnership. Wise explained how much effort goes into effective collaboration between two local authorities and Carillion, plus other stakeholders such as the planning officers and the architecture watchdog, CABE, as well as consultation with pupils and teachers.

Max Godfrey, co-founder of relocation specialists The Whittle Group, called on clients to involve removal advisers at an early stage of relocation plans. “This would enable removal firms to advise on the most cost-effective and sustainable options,” he said.