A MAJOR review of the property estate held by the IW Council, the police and the Primary Care Trust has begun.
The extensive study by property consultants Bruton Knowles will help each organisation make the most efficient and effective use of its property and also examine opportunities for each to work together in shared accommodation.
The extensive 16-week study will also identify council property that could be suitable for disposal to raise money to re-invest in public services. Bruton Knowles will be looking at between 200-300 of the council’s operational sites and buildings.
The cost of the initial study will be £75,000 — which will be shared between the council, police and PCT. Alongside the review, Bruton Knowles will be tasked with undertaking options appraisals on a number of important projects, such as the proposed joint HQ offices, and will also assist in the disposal of any identified sites.
Cllr George Brown, IW Council cabinet member said the study was the largest of its type ever undertaken on the Island.
“Between ourselves, the IW Primary Care Trust and the Hampshire Constabulary, we have scores of properties across the Island. This review will identify just how efficiently these buildings are currently being used,” he said.
“It is a very substantial review capable of highlighting great potential to make our services work more effectively both for users and for the council tax payer.
“A specialist in providing property consultancy advice to the public sector, Bruton Knowles has been appointed with the full support of our own property services department because, following a tender process, it was found to have the required expertise for a job of this magnitude.”
Cllr Brown said: “We are in the fortunate position of being able to carry out this review because of the close partnership working that exists between the council, the police and the PCT.”
Mark Price, IW NHS PCT Director of Corporate Affairs, said: “We are delighted that this review is now underway. We have no doubt that the review will identify opportunities for all three organisations in the use of our estate that would not have presented if we had all undertaken separate reviews.”
Temporary Chief Superintendent Dean Jones said, “We are very happy to be involved with our partners in this process. Our focus is to increase public accessibility to police services across the Isle of Wight.”
Angus Mylles, head of public sector and partner at Bruton Knowles said, “We are delighted to be working with the partners on the Island in order to deliver a comprehensive review of their substantial property estate.
“The Partners are choosing to take the very sensible step of reviewing their combined property estate before deciding on how to make best use of these assets, which could then offer opportunities to pursue improved services, economies of scale, reduced waste and greater financial returns.
“As experienced consultants working with over 70 public sector clients nationwide we believe we can bring a depth of knowledge and breadth of experience to deliver an impartial, insightful and effective strategic review, which we expect to be completed by spring 2008.”
