Global real estate services firm, DTZ has been appointed by the Cardiff Local Service Board (CLSB) to review the public sector estate across the city. The work has been funded by a successful bid through the Welsh Government’s Invest to Save Programme.
The CLSB was set up in 2007 in response to the Welsh Government’s Efficiency and Innovation Programme and is a multi organisation grouping of public sector bodies tasked with integrating public service activities in the Cardiff area.
The need to develop an integrated approach to asset management in Cardiff has been identified by CLSB and the Cardiff Local Service Board Asset Project (CLSBAP) has been established to identify opportunities for efficiencies, greater collaboration and co-ordination to support improved service delivery for citizens.
DTZ’s consulting and agency teams will be reviewing the CLSB’s public sector assets in the Canton Neighbourhood Area initially, as a pilot study, and will then apply a best practice approach to the wider Cardiff area. DTZ will be working with the CLSB partners to determine their operational service-based requirements and to identify surplus assets. Advice will be provided on accommodation sharing, asset rationalisation, disposal strategies (including ‘lotting’) and the identification of economic and social development opportunities.
Rhys James, Head of DTZ’s Cardiff office said: “We are delighted to have secured this appointment at an important time when all publically funded bodies are looking carefully to challenge whether they are driving maximum efficiencies and value from their various property assets.”
Laura Stamboulieh, Project Director and a specialist in DTZ’s Public Sector team commented: “Our appointment demonstrates the commitment of the CLSB to develop a best practice approach to the co-ordinated re-alignment of the public sector estate to meet service needs coupled with delivering value through a collaborative approach. We will be working very closely with the partner organisations which make up the Board to review the asset base and provide recommendations on how to optimise value and utilisation.”
Charles Coats, CLSBAP Chair and Corporate Property and Estates Manager for Cardiff Council, commented: “As one of only a few pilot projects adopted by the National Asset Working Group (NAWG), this is a hugely important project locally, to the Cardiff Partners, and nationally, as part of the Welsh Government’s Efficiency and Innovation Programme. We are delighted to have DTZ on board to provide direction from a strategic and commercial property perspective.”