Agenda item

Report of the City Surveyor.

The Board received a report of the City Surveyor on details of progress in quarter three (October – December) 2018/19 against the 2018-23 Business Plan, with an update on the commercial property market, and a financial statement.

The Chair requested further detail on the three amber cases listed within the report. The City Surveyor informed Members that that the three amber cases included two strategic asset plans which, while challenging, were improving. In addition, it was noted that the third amber case relating on the Service Based Review (SBR) savings were subject to a deep dive exercise from audit, but it was highlighted that the City Surveyor cannot make savings in other departments. Further to the SBR the City Surveyor clarified that the contract was relatively complex as some operational sites had internal security providers whereas other sites did not. 

It was observed by a Member that the market commentary provided a positive outlook for the City Surveyor’s Department and noted that savings on staffing costs should not be pursued at the expense of portfolio performance highlighting that the quality of staff was central to the positive performance of the property portfolio. The Chair agreed with this observation.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.