Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Deferred
Paragraph: 54
Develop guidance requiring accounting officers to explore property coordination with Government Property Agency
Conclusion
The rationale for the creation of the Government Property Agency was that by taking over the management of all government office buildings it would lead to co- ordinated decision-making and efficiency savings. But with the departments with the biggest office estates remaining outside the GPA’s control, the Government is potentially missing out on opportunities to bring together different public bodies and optimise the location of its office estate. To help ensure joined up decision- making across government, it should be a requirement for every accounting officer, before approving any major property consolidation or relocation proposal, to obtain assurance that their officials have explored opportunities to co-ordinate location and design decisions with the Government Property Agency, in its management of the office portfolio. The Cabinet Office should work with HM Treasury to develop this guidance for accounting officers, and write to us within six months to confirm the results.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government committed to publishing 'relevant programme documentation for Places for Growth and the Plan for London,' but did not commit to developing the specific guidance for accounting officers as recommended.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
54
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
31. The Government recognises the need for joined-up, long-term portfolio planning across the Government Office Portfolio to optimise the estate and to deliver efficiency savings. The Cabinet Office has delegated this task to the Government Property Agency, which takes into account all government office properties, whether managed by itself or others, when developing portfolio plans for cities and major towns. These portfolio plans have been developed since the Agency’s formation and will help avoid opportunities being missed.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗