The Asset Management Financial Comparisons tool is the last in a suite of products accompanying our 'Room for improvement: Strategic asset management in local government' report (June 2009). It allows councils to compare the value of their estates over time or for an individual year. It also allows councils to compare the capital spend on their estate, as well as capital receipts generated through the disposal of property.
Why has it been developed?
'Room for improvement' called for councils to obtain and use better data on land and property to enable them to adopt a strategic approach and to benchmark their performance in this important area. Comparing data between statistical neighbours will show whether there is potential to rationalise councils' estates, based on what they and others have done in the past.
Who is it for?
The tool can be used by anyone interested in a council's land and buildings. Local authority asset managers or directors of finance should find it particularly useful, as should elected members with a responsibility for property.
What data does it use?
The tool uses data from Capital Outturn Returns provided by the Department of Communities and Local Government. The CIPFA nearest neighbour model is used to choose statistical nearest neighbours or other comparator groups.
The tool is available here:
http://www.assetmanagement.audit-commission.gov.uk/homepage.aspx
To get started click on the 'Quick Start' icon or for more detailed information click on the 'Help' icon which can both be found in the tool bar in the top right hand corner of the page.