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About The Asset Management Planning Network (AMP)
The IPF AMP Network has now been running for six years and we have become the first port of call for the majority of Authorities in England and Wales seeking information and advice on Asset Management and Capital Investment Strategies. Our Membership of nearly 300 Authorities demonstrates the value and relevance of the Network and the continuing importance of Asset Management across Local Government and the rest of the Public Sector.
The strong and active membership also means that on your behalf we have been able to develop contacts and gain influence on a whole range of government and non-government bodies in relation to Asset Management. This gives the AMP Network Members a community voice and the opportunity to influence debate and change.
The coming 12 months will continue to be challenging for Local Authorities as the Government ‘raises the bar’ and the AMP Network is in a unique position to support Local Authorities in:
- Progressing good Asset Management and Capital Investment Planning
- Demonstrating Best Value in the use of Property and Capital Resources
- Delivering Continuous Improvement and
- Spreading Best Practice
Keeps you up-to-date with the latest news and developments...
Carole Bramley - Estates Practice Manager, Leicestershire County Council: “Invaluable update on government thinking. Highlights issues we wouldn’t otherwise pick up.”
Betty Albon - Corporate Property Officer, St Edmundsbury District Council: “Technical update is most important – all sorts of things we may otherwise miss (even when I try to keep my ear to the ground!) Thanks.”
The past year has seen some significant progress in maintaining the high profile of Asset Management, including:
- The first ever IPF/CIPFA National Local Government Asset Management Conference which took place in November 2005
- The launch of Asset Management Peer Reviews, a joint initiative between IPF/CIPFA and the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA)
- Release in April 2006 of the updated Use of Resources element of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment which raised the bar as far as Asset Managers in England are concerned – a bar which is set to rise even further!
- Completion of the Asset Management Beacon year, which included a range of highly useful events by Ashford, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Leeds and Rotherham (all of which are members of the AMP Network)
- Successful allocation of additional Asset Management Beacon funding to extend and strengthen the role of the AMP Beacons in sharing and disseminating best practice from July 2006 onwards and
- The adoption of the first phase of a new ‘suite’ of Property Performance Indicators in the project being led by COPROP, with consultation on the phase two now completed
Keeps you up-to-date with latest Best Practice...
Julie Turner - Strategic Property Adviser, Cheshire County Council: “The opportunity to share asset management strategies and techniques with other asset managers - though the regular update meetings and the website Community page is excellent. I would find the complexities of asset management more difficult without the support of the Network.”
David Nuttycombe - Head of Strategy & Estates, Cambridgeshire County Council: “Cambridgeshire have been a member of the AMP Asset Management network since 2001. The regular updates on topical issues are particularly helpful in our day-to-day work and inform our strategic thinking. David Bentley, Chris Brain and Alan Tyler have an amazing knowledge of what is happening in asset management across the U.K. and are very willing to share best practice or put you in contact touch with leading edge asset managers. In our view it’s excellent value for money.”
Mandy Govier - Councillor, West Dorset District Council: “Session 2 was interesting with the way forward, Session 3 was excellent - it provided plenty of information and food for thought, Session 4 – interesting to see how others view their practices and best use of their facilities...”
For most Organisations, the focus is now shifting firmly away from ‘process’ to ‘practicality’ and for 2006/2007 the AMP Network will continue to reflect this change in the approach that most Authorities are now adopting – by concentrating events around real Asset Management issues.
The challenges ahead do not discriminate between size or type of Authority, these challenges face all Authorities and each Authority can draw upon the strengths of the AMP Network in meeting them head-on.
Some of the challenges include:
- Linking Asset Management Performance with Service Delivery Performance and improving the engagement of service managers and elected members in Asset and Capital Investment Planning.
- Tackling the growing repair & maintenance backlog issue by exploring different approaches to making a step change.
- Developing best practice in Asset Management, particularly in the areas of Option Appraisal, Capital Prioritisation, Property Strategy, Partnering, Whole-life Procurement, e-Government, new ways of working, environmental issues and Suitability & Sufficiency.
- Adapting and revising Asset Management Plans to ensure they are ‘living’ documents that reflect organisational priorities and embody the RICS Asset Management Best Practice Guidance.
- Measuring and Benchmarking Property Performance using both National and Local Performance measures.
- Responding to the continuing challenge of best use of resources under Comprehensive Performance Assessment and Wales Programme for Improvement, by keeping Asset and Capital Planning on the Corporate agenda.
- Preparing for the impact that full asset depreciation will have when introduced as part of the Whole of Government Accounts agenda.
- Continuing to exploit the freedoms presented by the Prudential Code by developing robust business case approaches.
- The increasingly difficult task of identifying Property and Asset Efficiencies that can contribute to organisational efficiency targets under Gershon and Making the Connections.
- Understanding and reducing the impact of Property Assets on climate change.
- Responding to increased demand for shared services and shared assets and also pressure for increased community ownership and control of Property Assets.
- Responding to the asset ‘challenges’ that might arise from the potentially major changes to the structure of Local Government across England and Wales.
Through our links with the Federation of Property Societies, CLAW, The Audit Commission, The Beacon Council Scheme, DCLG, IDeA, The Welsh Assembly, The Scottish Executive, RICS, York Consulting, OGC and our own experience of supporting many individual Authorities over several years, the AMP Network can provide unparalleled support to face these challenges.
Membership of the IPF AMP Network is considered an essential in order to move forward on this journey. It will help in providing a ‘road map’ to real Asset Management and real service improvement. It will help also in responding to the ever-increasing challenges that Comprehensive Performance Assessment lay before you, as the assessment criteria develop and get even tougher.
One of the strengths of the Network is that the content of events and presentations is directly influenced by the things you say you want us to cover and we will continue to respond to ensure that all the events throughout the year are as lively, informative and useful as ever.
We understand the changes that you need to make and the outcomes you have to achieve and we also understand the constraints, barriers and difficulties that you face.
It is the best forum for Asset Management...
David Pethen - Senior Estates Surveyor, London Borough of Redbridge: “As usual a succinct topical update – one of the best forums, if not the best for Asset Management information exchange.”
Julie Turner – Strategic Property Adviser, Cheshire County Council: “My Authority has been a member of the AMP Network since its inception and I have personally found the presentations and updates extremely relevant and useful. The AMP Network is the only organisation that consistently provides updates on the latest thinking on public sector asset management.”
Stuart Turnbull - Group Manager - Asset Management, Newcastle City Council: “The AMP Network has provided an invaluable support mechanism in Local Government Asset Management. Informative update session, subject specific workshops, experienced speakers & facilitators and relevant seminars, together with an excellent website, have all contributed to assisting Property Managers stay abreast of current practices in the ever evolving world of Asset Management.”
The advantages to you are clear:
- You will always be up to date with information
- You will have access to best practice from across the Country
- You will have access to specialist expertise
- You will be part of the process able to assist in its development
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of some of the benefits of joining the IPF AMP Network:
- 2 free delegate places at three series of regional events during the year.
- A discount on delegate places at the IPF/CIPFA National Local Government Asset Management Conference 2006.
- Access to the constantly expanding ‘Members Only’ areas of the website, in particular the ever-increasing documentation section with a whole host of best practice examples.
- The ability to benchmark National Property PI data with other Network members, using our ‘Members Only’ online facility, with the ability to download charts and graphs tailored to your specific requirements. This database is in the process of being revised and updated to reflect the new COPROP PI’s.
- The opportunity to ‘Network’ with colleagues in other Local Authorities, many of whom face the same problems and challenges as you.
- Access to the latest ‘intelligence’ in the world of Asset Management.
- Access to advice, guidance and information over the telephone, by email or in person at Network events.
- Use of the increasingly popular online Discussion Forum.
- The ability to advertise property related job vacancies on our website for FREE.
Welcoming for new delegates and the opportunity to debate and ask questions...
Jeff Klarik - Corporate Accommodation Officer, Kingston Upon Hull City Council: “This was my first attendance at one of these network meetings. I was impressed with the event and how it was programmed.”
Nadine Coleman - Central Services Manager, Suffolk County Council: “My first experience of AMP network, very informative with good opportunities for networking and debate. I look forward to future events.”
And finally, please remember that membership (and access to the website library!) belongs to the Local Authority. We do not limit your free places and other membership benefits to just Property and Asset Managers. You can send or bring along to events Finance Managers, Service Managers, Procurement Managers and Elected Members – in fact anyone whom you think would benefit from attending and that would improve the integration of Asset Management within your Organisation.
We do hope that you will consider becoming a member of the IPF AMP Network, should you require a subscription form or details of any of our other services please contact:
Denise Edwards
Senior Business Support Officer
T: 01244 394600
If you would like an informal discussion with one of our expert Consultants please contact either:
David Bentley
IPF / CIPFA Head of Asset Management
T: 07710 368711
Or
Chris Brain
Senor Consultant
T: 07919 018 753
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