Working with the public sector requires a unique approach because success isn't just measured by profit, but by community value and social outcomes. Phil Farrell shares insights on how public sector surveyors can cut through complex procurement, locate true property specialists, and build the trust required to get the most out of their private sector consultants.

The Department for Education’s (DfE) updated nonstatutory guidance on school land transactions has major procedural and legal implications for local authorities. From stricter consent discipline and rigid "nil-value" principles to the heightened scrutiny surrounding playing field disposals, councils must adjust to longer transaction lead times. Amanda Timcke breaks down why early legal alignment is vital to navigating these sharpened risk points without stalling key developme

While underlying market demand for vibrant urban centers remains strong, mounting viability constraints and high construction costs make independent delivery difficult. Alex McKinlay highlights how public-private partnerships can strategically bridge this gap. By analyzing active models across Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, this piece shows why public sector land assembly, planning certainty, and infrastructure investment are essential to unlo

The London Bridges Walk saw ACES members, families, and colleagues from across the public sector come together for a grueling yet rewarding 25 km trek along the Thames Path. Author Daniella Barrow recaps the journey from Hammersmith to Tower Bridge, reflecting on how London's iconic crossings—from the structural adaptations of Hammersmith Bridge to the modern sustainability integrations at Blackfriars—serve as vital case studies for real estate long-term stewardship. Learn mo

Transforming underutilized town centre real estate into thriving community spaces requires deeper collaboration between local authorities and grassroots groups. Drawing on real-world case studies from Sheffield, Chichester, and the Wirral, Bex Trevalyan from Platform Places explores how dedicated council roles, adapted grant cashflow models, and cross-departmental site visits can shift internal legal and finance mindsets to replace risk avoidance with shared community value.

Despite constant criticism from rating agents, trade bodies, and politicians, the business rates system remains a remarkably efficient revenue-generating tool for local government. Chris Grose, Director in the Hartnell Taylor Cook Business Rates Team and Junior Vice President of the IRRV, evaluates the main arguments raised by dissenters. Examining tax multipliers, historic rental valuation lags, and empty property rates burdening landlords, he outlines why radical overhauls

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) provides a unique structural opportunity to completely rethink and reshape the public estate. However, experienced property strategist Guy Brett warns that the critical months leading up to vesting day are often consumed by immediate legal, data, and compliance operational realities. This post explores the technical challenges of modern boundary reorganisation—including handling s16 agreements, s24 disposal controls, title gaps, and polit

A professional corporate headshot of a man with short grey-and-brown hair, captured from the chest up. He is facing the camera directly with a calm and welcoming expression. He is wearing a dark grey or black pinstripe suit jacket, a light blue collared dress shirt, and a vibrant red tie adorned with a subtle dark pattern. The entire photograph is set against a seamless, solid white backdrop.

The "Freemen-on-the-Land" (FoTL) movement presents a growing challenge for local authorities, complicating straightforward asset management and debt recovery with pseudo-law arguments rooted in the "sovereign citizen" movement. High Court Enforcement Officer David Asker outlines the core beliefs of these groups—such as claims of immunity from statute law and demands for "wet-ink" signatures. Discover practical legal frameworks, the operational advantages of securing a writ of

Property asset management systems serve as the operational backbone for local authority estates teams managing highly complex public portfolios. While the market has heavily standardized around a few key software providers, a critical benchmark survey delivered by Remit Consulting and ACES reveals significant gaps in how these platforms are monitored. Discover data-driven insights on heavy workloads, weak post-implementation data auditing, and how Local Government Reorganisat

The Renters Rights Act 2025 marks a massive regulatory shift for the private rented sector, but are local authorities equipped to enforce it? Property litigation solicitor Dee Karatay explores the unintended consequences of the legislation. From smaller landlords exiting the market to an expansion of local enforcement powers without ring-fenced central funding, this piece highlights why matching legislative ambition with actual public sector resources is critical to avoiding

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is driving a significant structural shift across property and estates functions in the public sector. With rising uncertainty around long-term workforce planning and budgets, local authorities are increasingly relying on specialized interim talent—particularly in property data, asset management, and transformation roles—to maintain operational continuity. Alicia Gristwood and Grace Esberger share critical workforce planning insights on ma

Can commercial property management be used as a practical lever for health equity? Four Master of Planning students from Newcastle University explore this question by applying a custom Social-Value Quality Index (SVQI) to two contrasting local high streets. Their findings reveal that market-led property management alone is insufficient to support community resilience. Instead, local authorities must shift toward active, demographic-led stewardship to transform high streets in

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are rapidly shifting from a passive rental income stream into critical infrastructure. Ben Wallace shares operational insights on how localized battery installations—such as the Battery Box—help local authorities take control of background energy networks. Discover how these small footprint assets mitigate connection costs for EV charging, maximize rooftop solar output, and bolster power resilience against large-scale blackouts.

Achieving the MRICS designation is a monumental milestone for any surveyor, but navigating the Assessment of Professional Competency (APC) within the public sector comes with its own unique challenges. Introduced by Neil Webster, newly qualified chartered surveyors Hannah Hammond and Tayo Olanite share their personal accounts of the APC process. They discuss overcoming referral setbacks, leveraging AI tools for concise revision, building out comprehensive competency case file

The government has unveiled seven proposed locations for a new generation of new towns, signaling a major shift toward large-scale, infrastructure-led growth. From Milton Keynes to Victoria North, learn how this 21st-century placemaking mission aims to deliver up to 40,000 homes per site alongside integrated employment hubs.

Success in a live disposals programme depends less on identifying individual assets and more on commissioning the conditions in which delivery can happen effectively. Kathryn Hurlock outlines how to move from strategic intent to corporate change.

Francis Truss, Partner in the National Strategic Land team, argues that the next generation of new towns requires more than just ambition. To succeed where others have stalled, the government must place empowered development corporations at the heart of delivery to manage the decades-long cycles of infrastructure, land assembly, and social value.

Local authorities no longer carry every skill set in-house, making the public-private interface essential. Phil Farrell dives into the economics of consultancies, the pressure of fee-earning, and why mutual understanding is the key to a successful partnership.

In a significant victory for the museum sector, the Valuation Tribunal for England has reduced the Natural History Museum’s rateable value from £12.9 million to just £1. This ruling reaffirms that museums operating at a loss, despite receiving grant-in-aid, cannot attract a positive value for rating purposes.