Public property map published

A 'demo' public property map has been published which locates over 180,000 assets owned by almost 600 public sector bodies, including Central Government and 87 councils.

The Communities and Local Government believes councils and other public bodies publishing asset lists will help to identify billions of pounds of potential savings and protect frontline services.

The demo map reveals widespread public property ownership, beyond frontline services, underlining the scope for savings and the potential of a national asset map.

Public sector assets are worth an estimated £385bn, with almost two thirds owned by councils. The Government has committed to work with areas seeking to make savings through better property management, which they estimate could potentially save £35bn over ten years.

Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles wants public sector organisations, including councils, to publish registers of all buildings and land owned and believes the public have a right to see the sheer scale and variety of public sector asset wealth.

The map reveals just over 18,000 of Central Government assets - land and buildings, and that Hampshire County Council owns around 2000 hectares of farm land and property leased to private tenants.

Also listed are over 130 cafes and restaurants, over 100 pubs, around 60 theatres, over 40 hotels, about 20 cinemas and one airport in Southend, and nearly 100 golf courses, almost 30 sports stadiums, a handful of horse riding centres, and one sailing club.

Results from 11 council led pilot projects, known as capital and assets pathfinders, found that on average 20 per cent savings could be made by rationalising public assets or co-locating local services based on customer needs.

Pickles said: "By cataloguing each and every asset councils can help Government find innovative new ways to utilise them, improve local services, keep council running costs down and save taxpayers' money."

"This asset information also holds huge potential for local communities, offering an at a glance way to find that new meeting place or rescue the derelict tennis court round the corner."

Further information:
Communities and Local Government