Stratford District Council's Strategic Asset Group Report

Stratford-on-Avon District Council endeavours to provide value for money, reducing public spending and making efficiency savings.  Given the current financial climate this is even more critical.

The District Council owns a wide range of land and property and in April The Cabinet approved the creation of a Strategic Asset Group to look at maximising the potential of the District Council's property.

A first report is due to go to The Cabinet on Monday 4 October with details on one aspect of the Group's proposals. A further report will be considered in December.

The first report focuses on land sites ranging from Wellesbourne, Tanworth-in-Arden, Kineton and Ettington in order to identify suitable sites to create new affordable housing.

The Group has also been liaising with experts from Local Partnerships, a specialist property advisory body linked to the local government association. They have agreed to give support and advice at no cost to the District Council in assessing the viability of different options for maximising the council's assets and land, including a 'local asset backed vehicle' - which puts all the larger sites together and advises on how best to use the property for the best possible benefit.

Councillor Sue Wixey, Deputy Leader says: "The District Council would be imprudent if it ignored the potential for maximising returns on its assets at this time of economic strain. That has been the focus of the Strategic Asset Group and I look forward to Cabinet's consideration of the Group's proposals in the forthcoming meetings."

The Strategic asset Group comprises: Cllr Stephen Gray, Leader; Cllr Sue Wixey, Deputy Leader; Trevor Askew, Strategic Director; Andrew Lovegrove, Head of Resources and David Pywell.