Strategy for property management

The introduction of an Asset Management Plan (AMP) for the Education Service is a new strategy for the means and method by which decisions about spending on school buildings and other educational establishments are made and the way in which this property is managed.

School responsibilities

Schools have a major contribution to make to the development of the AMP.  With the significant level of funding available to schools for instance through the introduction of Delegated Budget and Devolved Capital, schools must act as the responsible custodian of the premises and plan, budget and manage projects for which they are responsible.

A Property Working Group has been established to develop process and procedure and includes Head Teacher, Governor, Diocesan, Foundation (GM), Trades Union and Officer representation.  This group meets regularly in order to develop policy for property issues.

Capital

Capital improvements have a key part to play in raising educational standards.  The City Council and DfEE have made significant additional capital expenditure available in recent years.  Together with other new developments such as New Deal for Schools, Public Private Partnership, Devolved Capital and Fair Funding, the need for a framework or asset management planning process through which rational, fair and transparent decisions could be made about the priorities of building projects at different schools is critical.