Financial gains for council by outsourcing property management

Outsourcing the management of a council’s substantial property portfolio to Brown&Co has enabled the authority to generate important income and capital to deliver essential local services.

With financial pressure increasing on all councils, levels of staffing can at times be insufficient to fully deliver services in-house, resulting in some tasks not getting actioned.

At the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, a shortfall in internal resources had culminated in some empty properties not being re-let or sold, rent reviews and lease renewals not getting actioned and a general inefficiency overall in managing the property portfolio.

The council recognised the need to outsource to a property specialist and awarded the contract to Brown&Co.

The business has an established presence and expertise in the local market, a strong professional network, and a proven track record in delivering the services required, and was therefore able to get to work immediately.

Brown&Co’s experience and availability have since ensured that tasks are dealt with efficiently.

By leveraging internal systems, databases, requirement lists, and industry contacts, the team is delivering the contract to a standard that yields maximum benefit for the council.

It has given advice and support on everything from the letting of office, industrial, leisure and retail premises to managing the sales of surplus commercial and residential development land, including negotiating commercial terms with prospective tenants. 

Sale of assets such as plots with planning consent on the 15-hectare King’s Lynn Enterprise Park and residential sites, some offered for sale with planning permission in place for anything from three to 20 dwellings and others without, have generated important capital to support the council’s delivery of essential services for local people.

Some of these disposals have been through auctions, a format Brown&Co has vast experience of and a team of skilled auctioneers.

The firm has drawn on this experience to facilitate the sale of typical local authority assets owned by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk including parcels of amenity land, garage sites and commercial ground lease sites. 

Brown&Co’s in-depth knowledge of the commercial property sector in local regions means it can exploit robust market evidence to conduct rent reviews and lease renewals.

This ensures the authority’s portfolio remains current and delivers the strongest financial returns.

For more information or to speak with the team, contact your local Brown&Co office.