CIPFA - Performance in Public Services: Property

Suitability & Sufficiency Assessments

The suitability of local authority premises for the delivery of services was initially focused on schools premises. The now Department for Children Schools and Families (DCFS), has over the years issued detailed guidance as to what information is deemed to be fundamental to effective school asset management planning, including three sets of information; the condition, suitability and sufficiency of the accommodation.

The assessment of suitability of local authority non-schools properties has been developing over a number of years, and whilst most authorities have now used some form of assessment, there are significant differences as to how effectively this is undertaken, embedded and utilised. There is no requirement to use a prescribed model, and local authorities have devised models of varying degrees of complexity, to meet their own needs.

The assessment of suitability is a recognised tool in effective asset management. It is acknowledged as an effective means of expanding the understanding of the performance of the portfolio beyond a wholly property focus, and as such is an area that many authorities are currently focusing on.

In England, the local authority's progress in this area is included within the nationally recognised and adopted National Property Performance Management Initiative Performance Indicators (NaPPMIs), and an assessment of ‘suitability of use' for operational buildings is included within the Statutory Performance Indicators in Scotland.

Whilst the collation and analysis of suitability assessments is not a mandatory requirement, in England it forms part of the overall assessment of asset management within the Use of Resources criteria under the Comprehensive Performance Assessment and the forthcoming Comprehensive Area Assessment.

In Scotland, the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 - Asset Management under Best Value Advisory Note, highlights the importance to an authority of knowing how well the asset base meets its current and predicted requirements and how appropriate use of assets in the right location can make the difference between good and poor service delivery.

In simplistic terms, suitability can be defined as the building's ‘fitness for purpose', the purpose being for the delivery of a particular service.

CIPFA Property can provide a full service from  devising a suitable audit questionnaire, training of in house staff or carrying out suitability assessments on your behalf.