The public sector at both local and national levels is currently the proud owner of property and land assets which stack up to many billions of pounds. Such assets represent a legacy of more prosperous times over the years. Many of these assets provide the essential infrastructure required to deliver vital services to communities and their residents.

However, confronted with such austere times, the sector is now presented with a real opportunity to exploit its estate. This does not mean a hasty fire sale of valuable, publicly-owned assets, but rather a well-managed process of both reducing unnecessary costs and maximising capital receipts.