Asset or Liability? Achieving operational efficiency for the public sector property portfolio

Download

Most parts of the public sector occupy significant amounts of property. Yet a majority of public sector organisations are battling with portfolios that are too large, do not meet their current needs, are unlikely to meet their future ones, are unsustainable and are costly to run.

Property features prominently in two of the sections of the Operating Efficiency Programme (OEP) for this very reason. The over-riding challenge for the public sector is how best to realise value from surplus assets whilst reducing cost and continuing to improve services.

This opinion piece examines the case for collaboration to achieve the efficiencies required within and across the public sector estate. In particular, it explores how planning across geographical regions can enable the "joined up delivery" that contributes to efficiency.