Acquisition

Property acquisition by public sector organisations is normally a more complex process than for the private sector.
King Sturge public sector specialists are all used to dealing with these issues and are able to offer this advice and understanding on top of the market knowledge and negotiating skills of the market sector and geographical specialists.

Surplus Properties

King Sturge regularly advises on the potential of surplus public sector property assets.  This can involve looking at re-use potential from both a town planning and market demand perspective.
King Sturge will provide an intelligent service which considers and compares all re-use options addressing risks, time frames and costs as well as an assessment of the maximum receipt that could be obtained.
Specifically, we will advise on the opportunities inherent in the property, town planning and legal constraints, target markets and demand levels and provide recommendations with regard to the approach to disposal.  We will then implement the agreed strategy.

Occupation Management

King Sturge Corporate Real Estate department provides an occupational management service to a number of major public sector occupiers.  They liaise on a regular basis with the public sector consultancy surveyors on many of the potential issues that arise for occupiers of both freehold and leasehold properties.  Perhaps of greatest significance is the fact that the service is aimed specifically at maximising returns and minimising expenditure.

Procurement and Development Projects

Public Sector procurement is a particularly complex process with rules that need to be closely adhered to.  Whilst legal advisers will be essential in most major procurements King Sturge has substantial experience in many development and joint venture schemes.  The public sector consultancy surveyors are able to provide initial advice on procurement strategy, test marketing, preliminary analysis and in relation to outline business cases.  They are then able to prepare information memoranda and questionnaires as well as tender invitations and assessment matrices.

Valuation

There are a number of very different valuation types that might be required by public sector clients.  All public bodies will at some point need asset valuations.  This will require the valuer to categorise the properties into operational and non-operational, specialised and non-specialised.  The specialised properties will generally need to be valued on the basis of depreciated replacement cost and this is an approach with which King Sturge is entirely familiar.
Valuations may be required under s.123 of the Local Government Act 1972 to confirm that the best consideration is being achieved for the disposal of an asset.  This again is a highly specialist area where King Sturge Public Sector Consultancy surveyors have a full understanding.
Valuations may also be required as part of an option appraisal and also in relation to an assessment of the potential of surplus assets.  King Sturge will regularly provide a range of values depending upon different town planning scenarios and are also regularly asked to consider marriage value opportunities, the effect of restrictive covenants, ransoms etc.

Service Assurance

All services provided by King Sturge in the UK are quality assured to ISO 2001.  King Sturge is able to assist clients in ensuring the highest level of quality service in relation to their own property management processes.
This might include establishing quality standards including KPIs and Service Level Agreements or alternatively in the development of a bench-marking system.  Alternatively, King Sturge is regularly asked to undertake a review of work undertaken by another surveyor either to provide a second opinion or to review the process.
Again this service is based upon a proper understanding of the needs of the public sector and a wide experience in dealing with projects on its behalf.

Compulsory Purchase

The requirement for Compulsory Purchase does fluctuate depending upon market conditions.  King Sturge is able to respond to whatever needs may arise.  Once the authority’s compulsory purchase powers are understood and objectives set we can undertake a preliminary review.  We will establish an understanding of the scope of the project and the extent of the area to be acquired.  We will liaise with solicitors in identifying interests and land parcels and we will where requested establish contact with interested parties.
We are able to provide a preliminary assessment of likely liability including disturbance payments and we will again work with legal advisers in relation to notices and the development of a Statement of Reasons.
If necessary we will provide experts for a public inquiry and conduct negotiations on the level of compensation.

Specialisms

King Sturge is able to offer a number of highly specialist services.  This includes services in relation to:

• Heritage property and Enabling Development 
• Option Appraisal
• Estate Audits/Strategies
• Public/Private Joint Ventures