Agenda item

Report HPR2021/052

The report provided a progress update on the property transformation programme which sought to put in place new staffing, system and supply chain approaches that would result in an excellent, responsive, and agile service well placed to manage the Council’s property interests and assets as a corporate landlord.

In opening the discussion, the Chairman noted that issues with property valuations had consumed a great deal of Officer time and resource and it was pleasing that there would now be a resolution to the issues.  The Committee noted that an update on property investments would be provided later in the municipal year.

A number of Members welcomed the changes being made to property services but noted that some of the reason for bringing services back in-house were the same reasons for initially outsourcing.  A Member stressed the need for a comprehensive reviewed of what had gone wrong with the Amey Total Facilities Management Contract and why unnecessary costs had been incurred in order for lessons to be learnt.

The Committee noted that a number of local authorities had embarked on outsourcing facilities management at the same time as Bromley and the same local authorities were now moving to a similar hybrid arrangement.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Commissioning and Contracts Management stressed that the changes being made to Facilities Management at the Council were extremely positive and the proposed Corporate Landlord Model was a positive set.  The Portfolio Holder provided an update on the contracts and reminded the Committee that it was important to consider the full context of the Amey contract, recognising that improvement in the contract had been delivered but, unfortunately, these had not been sustained.  The Portfolio Holder reminded Members that the estate was aged coupled with underinvestment and that the Amey contract had always operated within budget.

The Portfolio Holder commended the quality of the report that had been produced and highlighted that Members should be assured that Officers were in place to deliver the corporate landlord model.  20 staff had returned to the Council via TUPE and the staff were enthusiastic about the services they were delivering.

In response to a question, the Assistant Director for Special Projects confirmed that Royal Mail had been appointed through a framework and whilst spend on postal services had reduced, further reductions were being pursued.  In addition, whilst consumption of paper had reduced by roughly three quarters, Officers were continuing to explore opportunities for further reductions.

Members noted that environmental impact of any services had been included as the quality part of the commissioning assessment.  The Council had an Energy Manager and the environmental policies for facilities services were now more closely aligned with the Council’s overall energy priorities.

The Committee noted that every effort had been made to open up the commissioning process to local businesses and contracts had been awarded to local and regional suppliers.  The Portfolio Holder confirmed that he had reviewed every contract that had been let in respect of facilities management and they were easy to understand and proportionate to the requirements of the Council.

It was agreed that a structure chart for the new service would be provided to Members.

RESOLVED: That the progress made on the Property Transformation Programme be noted.