top of page
Welcome to the 2025 Autumn Terrier.
Storm Amy is about to land, although I think in (previously) Sunny Suffolk we should get off relatively lightly.
A very successful National Conference was held in Bath towards the end of September, so well done to Dan and all officers involved. Thanks, of course, to ACES Corporate Members Norse, Avison Young, Carter Jonas, and Lambert Smith Hampton, and Hartnell Taylor Cook who sponsored the wine at the rather splendid reception and gala dinner held at the Roman Baths. Write ups of the conference and the social programme are included in this issue.
This bumper issue of 36 articles contains some individual write ups of some of the conference presentations. More will be included in subsequent issues. Local government reform, practice and strategies, is a theme explored in depth; there are a few pieces which I hope are of interest to ACES’ growing cohort of FACES members, together with some new legislation and case law which practitioners need to be aware of.
For some lighter relief, please turn to the back pages. thanks to all regular contributors. Although I wouldn’t admit it directly, David Bentley’s travel tales made me smile, although he could do with improving his puns!
Autumn 2025
ACES Terrier
In this Issue
ACES NATIONAL CONFERENCE Realising the value of land and local government reform 25 September 2025 The Guildhall, Bath
ACES members gathered at the historic Guildhall in Bath for the 2025 National Conference, exploring how local authorities can unlock the full potential of public land while navigating the challenges of biodiversity net gain and local government reform. Expert speakers and panel discussions highlighted innovation, collaboration, and the crucial role of property professionals in shaping a more sustainable, resilient public estate.
Peter Gregory and Betty Albon
A HIGHLANDS TRIP Our short trip to the Highlands including a recommended B&B
Retired ACES Member Steve Howe and his wife Ann spent four memorable nights at Cuillich Mill, a recommended B&B near Inverness, owned by David and Leila Bentley. Discover the itinerary that took them along the stunning West Coast Drumbeg Loop, to Dunrobin Castle, and to Chanonry Point to watch dolphins, all based on the fantastic local advice and hospitality they received.
Steve Howe
SHAPING TOMORROW’S PLACES Does a new era of Government herald a new dawn for the revitalisation and regeneration of our centres?
Dr Steven Norris, Executive Director at Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), summarises the findings of the 6th annual LSH/Revo survey, which confirms that successful town centre revitalization must look "beyond retail." The top initiative identified by respondents is the provision of new mixed-tenure homes (for the first time), followed by repurposing vacant retail space. The report also shows strong support for devolution and consistently ranks joint ventures/public-private partner
Dr Steven Norris
AI GROWTH ZONES Positioning the United Kingdom’s AI strategy within a sustainable innovation framework
Kim Grieveson of Avison Young outlines the significant opportunity presented by the UK's AI Growth Zones initiative, backed by £600m in dedicated funding, with Culham Campus, Abingdon as the first location. She argues that for long-term success, these zones must be designed not just for technological advancement, but as catalysts for sustainable regeneration, requiring integration with net zero targets, renewable energy, and regional economic inclusion.
Kim Grieveson
BENTLEY MEMOIRS New Zealand Part 2
Semi-retired former CIPFA Head of Asset Management David Bentley concludes the second part of his New Zealand travelogue, featuring a visit to Dunedin (the "Edinburgh of the South") and a stop at Queenstown, the self-proclaimed adventure capital of the world, where he opted for Parkrun and a bike ride instead of bungee jumping. The article concludes with a humorous look at his "retirement" running a Scottish Highlands B&B and an "ultra hike" to a potentially haunted bothy nea
David Bentley
CONTAMINATED LAND REGIME “Blowin’ in the Wind” – Residents succeed in forcing a local authority to take action on contaminated land
A High Court decision concerning Arnolds Field in Havering has significantly impacted how local authorities must determine contaminated land. Rob Biddlecombe explains that the court confirmed smoke from on-site fires can constitute a "pathway" under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The successful judicial review by a residents' group highlights the increased pressure on local authorities to adhere strictly to legislation, guidance, and sufficient data collec
Rob Biddlecombe
YOUNG TALENT Attracting and retaining new talent in real estate: Building inclusive and future-ready talent pipelines
Kim Grieveson of Avison Young led an ACES National Conference panel discussing how to attract and retain young talent in public sector real estate. The discussion, featuring voices from academia and local government, highlighted barriers like the "local authority badge" perception and suggested solutions like ACES-coordinated university presence, promoting work-life balance and work breadth, and the development of pan-local authority graduate schemes.
Kim Grieveson
FRAUD PREVENTION New failure to prevent fraud offence: what you need to know
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced a new "failure to prevent fraud" corporate criminal offense, effective September 1, 2025. Legal experts Emma Tubb and Daniel Irving review the strict liability offense, which applies to large organizations (including public bodies) that fail to prevent an associated person from committing fraud to benefit the organization. The article outlines the six guiding principles for implementing reasonable fraud prevent
Emma Tubb and Daniel Irving
RIVERS AND COMMUNITIES How Rivers Can Breathe Life into Communities
Glen Richardson of Carter Jonas, who helped create the Central Abingdon Regeneration Framework, explains why rivers are crucial for breathing life back into communities. He argues that while rivers were once used for transportation, they are now vital cultural and natural assets that drive wellbeing and income. The key to successful river regeneration, as seen in Abingdon and Newcastle, lies in reconnecting town centres to the waterfront and strategically managing challenges
Glen Richardson
BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN Unlocking biodiversity value: Turning estates into assets through BNG
Shashin Mishra of AiDASH explains how Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) transforms public land, often viewed as a liability, into a measurable financial and environmental asset. By managing surplus holdings as habitat banks, local authorities can generate revenue through biodiversity units, support planning compliance, and secure long-term funding for land stewardship. The use of technology like AI and satellite data is crucial for generating the transparent, 30-year evidence trail
Shashin Mishra
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM IN PRACTICE Property and community
Adam Birchall, who led property matters during Cornwall's move to a Unitary system in 2009, shares the subsequent 16 years of integration and lessons learned, framed through 10 property assets. His key takeaways for councils undergoing LGR are that the transition day is "barely the first quarter mile" and the critical importance of "Learning to devolve and let go" —transferring assets like parks and libraries to capable local bodies, viewing property not as a spreadsheet entr
Adam Birchall
DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS Future-proofing government expertise through degree apprenticeships
Kate Deakin, Director of Apprenticeships at the University of the Built Environment (UBE), explains how degree apprenticeships are future-proofing government expertise by combating skills shortages. UBE's flexible, fully online, accredited programs—which lead to professional recognition like RICS membership—are being used by departments like the VOA and Ministry of Defence to build in-house talent pipelines, increase diversity, and align workforce skills with national priorit
Kate Deakin
SME HOUSING DELIVERY Government policy impacts on SME housing delivery
Tony Mulhall, Senior Specialist at RICS, analyses the impact of government policy on SME housebuilders, who have seen their share of new homes decline significantly since the GFC. He argues that achieving the ambitious target of 1.5 million new homes by summer 2029 is jeopardized by two primary, persistent barriers: delays in securing planning permission and a lack of resources in local planning authorities. Mulhall suggests that greater certainty in planning expectations and
Tony Mulhall
FACADES The first line of defence
Daniel Snape, a chartered building surveyor at Watts Group, provides a clear guide to façade management, which are the building's first line of defence and can account for up to 35% of construction costs. He details the advantages, disadvantages, and common defects of three major UK systems: traditional brickwork, curtain walling, and rainscreen cladding. Citing BSI BS 8210, he recommends a tiered inspection regime (Routine, Annual, Detailed—every 3 years) and outlines best p
Daniel Snape
ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEMES Do the government proposals to streamline consultation on energy and infrastructure schemes risk unforeseen consequences?
Hannah McGinn, an Associate Partner at Carter Jonas, examines the government's proposal to streamline consultation on nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) to save time and money. While welcoming the ambition for a 'Clean Energy Powerhouse,' she cautions that "streamlining must not become a euphemism for sidelining". She argues that reducing consultation risks future public resistance and suggests improving the process through digital tools and a tiered appro
Hannah McGinn
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM An opinion from “inside”
An anonymous "insider" explores the government’s dual plan for devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in England, which aims to create new Mayoral Authorities and Unitary Councils. The article focuses on the critical, practical impact these changes have on property professionals, detailing key challenges like property asset transfer, system updates, and preparing for the Structural Change Order.
Anonymous
PEAKY BLINDERS! ACES Team conquers the Peak District - 5 September 2025
The ACES team, led by President Dan Meek and Senior Vice President Alan Richards, successfully completed the grueling Public Sector Challenge – Peak Pursuit 2025 marathon route on September 5, 2025. The five-member team covered around 27 miles each, conquering five Peak District summits and adding over £1,200 to ACES' fundraising efforts for Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, pushing the total raised to nearly £4,900.
Alan Richards
MORE MUSINGS Cornish Changes
Retired chartered surveyor Simon Eades reflects on five decades of family holidays to Treyarnon Bay in North Cornwall, sharing fond memories of caravan stays and wooden surfboards. He examines the evolution of the area, noting the increase in coastal path development, the impact of second homes, and the transformation of nearby Padstow from a quiet fishing village to a bustling tourist hub.
Simon Eades
REORGANISATION AND HOUSEBUILDING Is local government reorganisation compatible with the government’s housebuilding targets?
Victoria Yeandle, a Chartered Town Planner, explores the paradox between the government's ambitious 1.5 million homes target and the disruption caused by local government reorganisation. While long-term benefits like pooled resources are possible, the short-term reality is that merging councils may abandon local plans and destabilise decision-making, likely delaying rather than expediting the planning process.
Victoria Yeandle
STRATEGIC ASSET MANAGEMENT Diploma in Strategic Asset Management Collaborative approach between ACES/CIPFA – A continuing story
Malcolm Williams, ACES Course Coordinator, recounts the successful evolution of the Diploma in Strategic Asset Management, a collaboration between ACES and CIPFA now in its eleventh iteration. The article features an interview with recent graduate Graham Tombs of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, who praises the course for shifting his mindset from operational fixes to using assets as strategic enablers for better public service outcomes.
Malcolm Williams
NEW RICS APC GUIDANCE New Candidate and Counsellor Guides
Jen Lemen of Property Elite summarises the crucial and immediate changes to the new RICS APC Candidate and Counsellor Guides. Key updates cover backdating structured training (now up to 6 months), clarifying the difference between the diary and log book, setting a 2-year validity period for case studies, and establishing strict rules against using AI writing tools for submissions.
Jen Lemen
MY LEGACY What has happened to my legacy – Addendum Community Asset Transfer: Is it a policy inherently destined to fail?
Richard Allen, a former ACES President, questions whether Community Asset Transfer (CAT) is a policy "inherently destined to fail," given the struggles of high-profile cases like the Lenton Centre and St Ann’s Allotments in Nottingham. He argues that while CAT is vital for community empowerment, success hinges on robust local authority support, long-term leases, and addressing the growing challenge of volunteer shortages in community groups.
Richard Allen
RICS MATRICS What it means to its members
Danni Foster, RICS Next Generation Manager, interviews Francesca Fowler-Walsh, Associate at Savills and UK Board member of RICS Matrics—the early career community for surveyors up to 10 years post-qualification. Francesca shares how the network, which offers peer support, CPD, and mentoring, provided a vital training ground for both technical and soft skills, opening doors by providing the confidence and network to choose which doors to open.
Danni Foster
PLACE PILOTS Place Pilots – the West Midlands Combined Authority experience
Brian Thompson and Peter Beer detail the experience of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) as one of five locations awarded funding for the innovative Place Pilot Programme in 2022. Designed as a test bed for scalable collaborative asset management beyond routine One Public Estate (OPE) projects, the programme successfully fostered regional collaboration, updated key documents like the Public Land Charter, and unlocked novel projects, proving the power of a regional,
Brian Thompson and Peter Beer
UNLOCKING THE PUBLIC ESTATE Unlocking the Public Estate: what’s really stopping progress—and what councils can change this year
Guy Brett of Watling Consulting compares a 1999 government study with a 2025 pulse survey, finding that despite a decisive shift toward corporate control of assets, the lack of decision-grade data and constrained capacity are severely hindering progress in unlocking the public estate. He provides six effective changes councils can make this year, emphasizing a shift from site-by-site to programmed phasing and service-led pipelines to manage mounting pressures like LGR and dec
Guy Brett
ESTATE STRATEGIES Why estate strategies are critical to the public sector’s future
Maddie Chelsom, an Associate at Knight Frank, argues that estate strategies are now "strategic imperatives" for the public sector. She outlines four key drivers for renewal—financial efficiency, service transformation, climate commitments, and place leadership—and details the critical success factors of a good strategy, including strategic alignment, data-driven insight, and robust financial modelling to ensure deliverability and secure senior buy-in.
Maddie Chelsom
UNLOCKING PROPERTY POTENTIAL Challenging the status quo - Giving purpose to the public estate: understanding need, harnessing data, unlocking potential
Chartered Surveyor Laura Boutle argues that the public estate is a powerful lever for resilience and growth, challenging the status quo by insisting on aligning property with purpose. Following on from Richard Gawthorpe’s article, she identifies two "golden threads" for unlocking potential: regular, structured stakeholder engagement to define community need and investing in a comprehensive asset register—the "engine room of effective estate strategy."
Laura Boutle
REIMAGINING PUBLIC ESTATES Turning estates into engines of fiscal resilience and growth
Richard Gawthorpe of the Norse Group argues that facing a new reality of financial pressure and reorganisation, local authorities must shift their mindset from viewing public estates as liabilities to seeing them as engines of fiscal resilience and growth. He advocates for bold leadership, strategic repurposing (like converting offices to housing), and using innovative financing tools like joint ventures to generate revenue while retaining strategic control.
Richard Gawthorpe
bottom of page