By Richard Johnstone | 18 July 2011
Councils across England could save tens of millions of pounds from sharing their property, according to early results from a Local Government Association pilot.
Eleven local authorities are currently taking part in the LGA’s Capital and Assets Programme, run with the Department for Communities and Local Government since January. The councils are consolidating their property and other assets with police, fire authorities and the NHS to reduce the cost of providing services.
The results are shown on a nationwide interactive map. Cambridgeshire County Council, for example, is linking up with all local public sector organisations to share assets and reduce carbon emissions. It aims to save up to £200m over the next ten years.
David Parsons, chair of the LGA’s Improvement Board, said that the map provided ‘graphic evidence of the kind of measures being replicated in local areas right across the country’ to meet the challenge of making budget savings.
He said: ‘Not every council asset represents an opportunity to make savings. Some generate valuable ongoing income. Others like parks, sports facilities and cemeteries cost money but provide essential services to local communities. Many opportunities are available though, and councils are using their local knowledge to lead the way, not only saving millions by consolidating their own assets but helping other local and national service providers to spend public money more efficiently.’
The second phase of CAP, which will be run solely by the LGA, is looking for 12 additional councils to undertake similar programmes. However, Parsons said that ‘local authorities can only go so far on their own’.
He added: ‘We need all government departments to tear down the silos and give local areas more financial autonomy so that councils and other service providers can be linked up to save money and make services better and more convenient for residents.’
