Corporate Property team now leading the management of buildings across the Council
A new Corporate Property team is now responsible for the centralised management of Council buildings, bringing a more coordinated approach to property management.
This means that all council-owned operational buildings, such as schools, libraries, and offices, are now managed and co-ordinated by one central function instead of different service areas as was previously the case.
This change is helping to ensure that property performance improves and that buildings are well looked after, used to their maximum benefit and investment needs are prioritised accordingly.
It also aims to ensure improved efficiency, avoiding duplication and improved planning for property management and future property requirements across the Council.
The new Corporate Property team is responsible for:
- Taking care of building maintenance and repairs
- Helping make buildings more energy efficient resulting in lower energy usage and carbon emissions
- Ensuring buildings are statutory compliant, safe, fit for purpose and used in ways that help deliver Council services and priorities
- Planning for future building demands including where appropriate, upgrades or replacements, aligned with future capital investment priorities
- Supporting large building projects and manage council-owned commercial properties.
Council services will still play a key role as custodians of the buildings they use in the position of Premises Managers, to report problems, make sure safety checks are complete, and help keep the building running smoothly. They’ll also be responsible for keeping relevant premises management records up to date.
This new approach to property is helping to ensure that our property is affordable, sustainable, and fits the needs of the people who use it, now and in the future.
Progress so far
One year on since the introduction of Corporate Property, positive progress has been made. This includes:
- Establishment of a dedicated compliance team to ensure ongoing and improved compliance in buildings
- Approval of the Learning Estate Review which will transform the learning estate and improve educational outcomes
- Increased investment agreed within the General Services Capital Budget 2026-2031 to improve property performance
- Establishment of a team dedicated to the delivery of transformational capital projects relating to property
- Delivery of property modernisation projects including a recent light refurbishment of Camelon Social Work Office
We ask that as part of this new approach, no decisions are taken by services in relation to physical changes to properties, team relocations and changes of use in buildings. Please get in touch with corporateproperty@falkirk.gov.uk to discuss any service needs.
We are conscious that this is a major change for the Council and how it manages its property assets and to help improve the level of service being provided by the new team, we welcome feedback from custodian services. To support this, a survey has been issued to premises managers seeking feedback on levels of service satisfaction to help direct future improvements.
Paul Kettrick, Head of Investment, Assets & Climate, said:
Bringing all Council buildings under one central team is helping to ensure that we look after our properties in a more consistent and sustainable way.
"This approach means we can better plan for future needs, reduce costs, make sure our buildings are safe and continue to support the services our communities rely on.
Further information can be found on the intranet.
If you have any general enquiries or questions that are non-maintenance related, please contact corporateproperty@falkirk.gov.uk