Recommendation 25

ESND provides support to posts in managing their estates by setting corporate standards, and providing guidance and technical assistance. FCDO commissions around 75 regional specialists to support posts: regional technical leads that provide advice on maintenance to posts, and technical works supervisors that provide maintenance in secure areas. FCDO also commissions a worldwide inspection programme which includes mandatory inspections to check the safety and compliance of equipment and machinery at posts.70 FCDO explained that these inspections cover what it classifies as high-risk maintenance activities, such as fire inspections, electrical testing inspections and gas inspections. FCDO told us that it is trying to provide as much guidance, information and support to posts as it can, and going forward it will need to look at how to ensure posts have the skills, knowledge and information required.71 64 Q 71 65 C&AG’s report, para 2.9 66 C&AG’s report para 1.6 67 C&AG’s report, paras 2.18-19 68 Q 53 69 C&AG’s report, paras 2.18, 2.20 70 C&AG’s report, paras 1.6, 2.14 71 Qq 36-37, 53-54 16