The Asset Management service plays a strategic role with regard to the use and future development of the Council’s £3.3bn land and property portfolio.
Its role is split into four areas
Asset Management Unit – the unit is responsible for developing the Strategic Asset Management Plan which sets out the approach the Council takes to the management and development of its substantial property portfolio. It is made up of three sections
Strategy and data
- contributes to the Council’s strategy for capital funding and investment
- manages the data records for all of the authority’s land and property holdings
- undertakes a five-year survey programme of general fund property and advises on investment priorities
Project Delivery
Energy and Water Management- has lead responsibility for the effective and efficient management of energy and water within Council buildings. This role includes:
- supporting the procurement of utility suppliers
- facilitating the implementation of sustainable design standards in the Council including the compliance with the European Directive covering Display Energy Certificates (DEC) and Energy Performance (EPC) Certificates
- ensuring that the authority limits the environmental impact of its energy and water consumption
Client Services – aims to ensure that Leeds City Council’s (LCC's) construction-related projects follow Best Practice guidance. The key areas of work are:
- implementation and management of the Strategic Design Alliance (SDA) for the Council (this would be a partnership between LCC’s internal Design Service and the private sector design consultancy, Jacobs)
- development and implementation of the Contractor Partnership (CP) for the Council. This is a selected group of contractors which will enable LCC to procure and manage construction contracts effectively
- advising on specific construction issues
- project co-ordination and management for high profile build/refurbishment projects such as the City Varieties, Aquatic Centre, Grand Theatre, the new Leeds Museum, the successful sale of Leeds Bradford International Airport for £145.5 million and the proposed Arena
Property Services - is responsible for maximising the potential of the Council's Investment Portfolio to ensure it contributes to economic prosperity and optimises employment potential. This includes the following teams:
- Disposals - handles the disposal of surplus Council property and monitors the associated Capital Receipts Programme
- Investments - provides advice and property management expertise to the Council regarding the Council's investment property portfolio and the taking of leases
- Small Industrial Units - manages the Council’s industrial estate portfolio
- Acquisitions and Advertising - deals with the acquisition of land and property and co-ordinates advertising initiatives
Markets – is responsible for managing and developing all the Council markets in Leeds including:
- Kirkgate – located in the City Centre attracts around 250,000 visitors a week
- District – held in the town centres of Otley, Pudsey and Yeadon
- Farmers’ Markets – held every first and third Sunday in Leeds, second Monday in Yeadon, and last Thursday in Pudsey
- Car Boots and licensing of private markets
- Street Trading – this covers designated sites in the city centre and Elland Road
- Outreach Work – promotion of alternative trading options throughout the city
The Council was awarded Beacon status for Asset Management in March 2005 which recognised the authority's approach and commitment to using asset management to further its corporate and service objectives. Leeds, together with the other four Beacon authorities, is still promoting effective asset management by continuing the work started during the Beacon year by offering a joint Peer Review and Mentoring Scheme in conjunction with IPF and IDeA. This scheme aims to offer practical advice to pro-active local authorities who wish to relaunch their asset management planning.