NIAO & SIB: A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO THE USE OF PUBLIC SECTOR ASSETS – LAUNCH OF GOOD PRACTICE GUIDE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND

October 21 2021

The Northern Ireland Audit Office and Strategic Investment Board have produced a new Good Practice Guide for effective and efficient public sector asset management within local government.

Local government in Northern Ireland owns and manages land and property assets valued in excess of £2.7billion.  All councils are undergoing a significant period of positive transformation, with the community planning process underpinning a refreshed focus on communities, economic regeneration, tourism and the local environment.  Central to this transformation is prudent resource management, ensuring long-term financial stability, value for money and sustainable growth.

It is vital that local government actively manages its land and property assets to ensure they reflect demand and broader strategic and community need, enabling resources to be focused on what matters most.

Drivers from inside and outside the public sector increasingly mean our established practices in managing land and property assets must evolve and adapt.  This Good Practice Guide provides clear and user-friendly guidance, describing three key themes (split further into nine core components) that bring forward modern public sector asset management practices and encourage more collaboration and consistency across the public sector in Northern Ireland.

At this event, the speakers will present case studies that show how the three key themes of the guide can be applied. Delegates will hear from:

  • Colette Kane (Local Government Auditor)
  • Brett Hannam (Chief Executive, Strategic Investment Board)
  • Ronan O’Hara (Strategic Investment Board)
  • Colin McCrossan (Strategic Investment Board)
  • Stephen Reid (Chief Executive, Ards and North Down Borough Council & Chair of SOLACE)

There will be opportunities for dialogue during this session.  The Good Practice Guide will be published on 21st October and circulated electronically to delegates at this event.