Background to the report

In response to substantial falls in funding since 2010-11, local authorities have made reductions in revenue spending on services. Increasingly, authorities have also sought to offset funding reductions by generating new income through a range of strategies. A key component within these responses has been a rapid expansion in the acquisition of commercial property, often funded by borrowing. Buying commercial property can deliver benefits for local authorities including both the generation of income and local regeneration. However, as with all investments, there are risks.

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Local authority spending on commercial property takes place in the context of the prudential framework, made up of both powers and duties created by legislation and a set of statutory codes and guidance to which authorities must have regard. The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (the Department) has overall policy responsibility for the prudential framework.

Content and scope of the report

Our report examines whether the framework overseen by the Department allows for the management of risks to the financial sustainability of local authorities from investment in commercial property. We expect the Department to have clear objectives for the system and enough information and assurance on its functioning. We also expect the Department to make effective changes when required.

The report addresses this question in four parts:

  • Part One sets out the framework within which local authority spending on commercial property takes place.
  • Part Two examines recent trends in local authority commercial property acquisition.
  • Part Three examines the extent to which authorities are exposed to different risks because of their commercial property acquisitions, and the steps they are taking to mitigate risk.
  • Part Four examines how the Department is discharging its responsibilities for the system for local capital spending in relation to investment in commercial property.

Report conclusions

The acquisition of commercial property can enable authorities to generate income in the context of financial pressure, while also supporting regeneration. However, the scale of investment of public funds in this activity in the last three years, the concentration of this activity in a relatively small group of authorities, and the use of borrowing to finance such investments is striking. The benefits from this investment therefore must be considered against the potential financial sustainability and value‑for‑money risks that have emerged.

The Department as steward of the prudential framework, alongside CIPFA, has sought to address the implications for the framework of emerging risks from these activities. It has been alive to the financial sustainability risks for a small number of authorities and has made system changes in response. However, the Department is only expecting gradual change in those authorities’ behaviour despite the Committee of Public Accounts first highlighting concerns in November 2016.

The position set out in this report raises questions about the extent to which the Department and HMT can rely on the prudential framework in its present form to support value-for-money decision-making in the current legal and financial context. The permissive nature of the prudential framework has been tested by new behaviours in the sector, and the Department has not yet responded in a timely way that also reflects the marked variations in activity across the sector. To protect against risks to value for money, the Department must take steps to ensure that authorities’ actions are in line with the principles underlying the framework. To support this, it should strengthen framework oversight and develop methods for more timely, flexible and targeted intervention when required.

“Local authorities have responded innovatively to the challenge of funding constraints, with some investing in commercial property to secure additional income.

“However, the benefits from this investment must be considered against the potential risks to authorities, particularly given the concentration of this activity and associated borrowing within a relatively small group of authorities. MHCLG needs to look again at the framework which governs local authority borrowing and investment and consider whether it is still fit for purpose.”

Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO

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Publication details

Press release

View press release (13 Feb 2020)

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