Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Accepted
Overseas posts face inadequate capacity and skills for proper estate maintenance.
Recommendation
Posts not covered by regional facilities management contracts have to use in-house staff or local contractors.65 While larger posts can have dedicated estate managers and estates teams, smaller posts may not have estates specialists on site.66 FCDO’s recent ‘FMR24’ exercise found limited local expertise in posts led to them routinely failing to monitor and maintain their property, inconsistent approaches to maintenance across posts and deficiencies in staff training and competency. Sixty-five percent of respondents to the NAO’s survey of estates managers at overseas posts reported that lack of capacity and staffing was a challenge, and 44% reported that staff at post not having the necessary training, skills and experience was a challenge.67 FCDO acknowledged that it does not have all the skills and capabilities it would like worldwide.68 In November 2024, FCDO’s principal risk register rated the risk of inadequate capacity and capability at posts as severe and FCDO has acknowledged that limited capacity means that posts cannot adequately maintain their estates.69
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to complete its estate workforce strategy, setting out staff and skills needs, current staff and skills, and a plan to close any gaps.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
6. PAC conclusion: FCDO’s ability to manage its estate is hampered by a lack of staff with the necessary skills and experience. 6. PAC recommendation: FCDO should complete its estate workforce strategy, which should set out: • the staff and skills it needs and where they should be best located; • the staff and skills it currently has; and • a delivery plan explaining how it will close any gaps found by for example, training existing staff, moving staff or external recruitment. FCDO should update the Committee on this alongside its Treasury Minute response 6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented