Council keen to work with communities over property disposal

A plan to manage the Council’s property has been approved by Councillors this week (Tuesday 3 September). 

The document sets out a strategy until 2029 for overseeing the Council’s 515 property assets, which will aid the delivery of OIC objectives whilst reflecting new challenges. 

The Property Asset Management Plan - which does not include council housing – shows the diverse range of land and property owned and managed by the Council. This includes “non-operational” property assets which generate around £1M in rental income for reinvesting in services to the community. 

Some 368 are described as ‘operational properties’ and have a net worth of over £264M. These include schools, care homes, airports, cemeteries, waiting rooms, linkspans, land, offices, museums, public toilets, stores and sheds to name a few. Of these 85% are in a “good” or “satisfactory” condition. 

A further 147 are ‘non-operational’ property assets, including buildings and land, which aren’t used for the direct delivery of services. These have a net worth of just over £19M and generate around £1M in rental income. Just over 86% are rated as being in a “good” or “satisfactory” condition. 

The Council’s Service Manager of Estates, Graeme Christie, said: “The quality, condition, suitability and sustainability of our property assets has a direct bearing on the quality and deliverability of frontline services. It is therefore extremely important that these assets are managed in a proactive and efficient way. 

“This Property Asset Management Plan provides an overview of the quantity, existing uses and current performance of the Council’s property assets. It aims to identify future actions and potential risks and to provide a well-managed property portfolio to support the delivery of Council services. 

“Funding pressures are likely to be extreme during the life of this plan. The local economic position will also drive the need to use land and property assets effectively, efficiently and will shape our future property requirements. The objective is to provide the right property asset, in the right location, at the right price and quality.” 

The Council is keen for communities to express an interest in assets from which areas can benefit. 

Mr Christie said: “The Council has a long history of supporting voluntary and community groups through use of its property. We work closely with communities and partner agencies to identify opportunities for transferring publicly owned property into community hands, which may be in the form of long leases or through outright transfer of ownership. We welcome enquiries from proactive community groups seeking to acquire a local asset to enhance the community. 

The Plan will come before Full Council for ratification. 

To find out more about properties for sale head to: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/our-services/enterprise-and-economic-growth/property/properties-for-sale-list/