South Gloucestershire Council Head of Property Services Candidate

Head of Property Services Candidate briefing pack

April 2021 Welcome

Head of Property Services

Thank you for your interest in this role.

I believe that over the last twelve months we have seen the true value of local councils. We have kept services running for our residents, ensured the most vulnerable in our communities are supported and carried on delivering the strategic projects that will bring long term benefit and a strong recovery from the pandemic. There has never been a better time to be hugely proud of what we do.

I am looking to recruit a Head of Property Services who is fundamentally excited about being a part of local government so that they can use their professional skills and expertise to make South Gloucestershire a better place to live, work and visit. We have an ambitious Council Plan, and the Property Service has a key role to play in delivering our strategic objectives. That does not mean simply doing more of the same, I need someone who will introduce innovative ways of thinking, delivering, and collaborating internally and externally to ensure we realise the full potential of our estate.

In short, if you want to work with senior officers and members to play a leading role in making sure our children have great schools, our communities have brilliant facilities, and our staff have exciting and purposeful workspaces then I very much hope you will apply.

The attached candidate pack includes the relevant details about the job role, and I hope you find this useful and informative.

I look forward to receiving your application.

David Wilkin Director of Resources and Business Change A note from Rebecca Toms

I’m retiring from the Council for personal reasons and whilst it is the right thing for me, the decision is tinged with regret as we are on the cusp of many interesting, exciting and challenging initiatives and projects, the sort of opportunities that a few years ago I would have been revelling at the prospect of being pivotal in delivering.

During my 17 years with the Council, I have been fortunate to have had so many brilliant experiences and worked on numerous great schemes. We have rationalised the office estate from 22 to 6 sites, including the construction of our Badminton Road offices, bought a Science Park, designed and delivered over 20 new primary and secondary schools, successfully acquired an investment portfolio and importantly throughout, kept buildings and the services we provide within them operating efficiently and effectively, whilst also making significant revenue savings. I have to say that not once in my time with the Council have I felt that being female has hindered me, we are all colleagues here and our individual abilities and skills are respected.

Considering the amount it achieves, the division is quite small and it has been my privilege to lead teams of experienced and knowledgeable colleagues that, due to their considerable commitment and dedication, are able to deliver so much. Key for the future will be supporting significant elements of the Council plan, including constructing new schools, working with partners to deliver health and social care facilities, regeneration schemes and playing a critical role in addressing the Climate Emergency and post Covid ways of working.

I have enjoyed my time with the Council and whilst I am proud of what I have accomplished, I am equally conscious that there is huge scope for my successor to achieve even more and I wish them all the best.

Rebecca Toms | Outgoing Head of Property Services About the council

It takes a lot of diverse skills, experience and talent for us to excel, which is what makes our organisation a vibrant and exciting place to work.

We’re friendly and flexible, passionate and proud, innovative but inclusive. We’re committed to learning and development for all and offer a range of flexible working options to ensure a good work life balance. We have a reputation for delivering high quality services, from social care and public health, to schools services, street care and environmental planning.

We believe in putting our residents first, ensuring that their lives are improved by what we do. Our vision is to build stronger communities and we’re planning for the future; building and improving our roads and railways, our schools and green spaces and new housing, which will continue to make South Gloucestershire a great place to live and work in.

We have a one council ethos of being innovative and agile and we actively encourage new ideas and ways of tackling issues within our teams, with everyone working in an integrated way, across all departments. This is reflected in our values of embracing equality, working together and encouraging responsible growth.

About South Gloucestershire. South Gloucestershire has a rich natural and cultural heritage. Attractive and historic landscapes link unspoilt market towns and villages and established rural and urban communities with major new residential areas and industrial and commercial developments. The area stretches from the Severn Estuary in the west to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the east, whilst its southern boundary borders the city of Bristol.

Much of our population (62%) lives in the suburbs to the north and east of Bristol. There are also the large towns of Yate, Thornbury and Chipping Sodbury, where a further 18% of our residents reside, plus the population centres of Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell. Around 20% of our residents live in rural locations. About the council

Demographics South Gloucestershire is an area of diversity and contrast with a mix of long established urban communities, vibrant market towns, small villages and substantial new development. Its strong yet differing communities have individual needs and aspirations and the diversity of the landscapes and neighbourhoods contribute to a high quality of life.

There is a growing population of around 271,000 living in 113,000 households which is split roughly 50/50 between the sexes. According to the 2011 census, the area is predominantly white with a BAME population of 13,193, which amounts to around 5.0% of our total population.

Residents enjoy a high-quality local environment and South Gloucestershire is relatively affluent, although there are some pockets of deprivation at a sub-ward level, mainly in our urban areas.

Transport South Gloucestershire is one of the best connected areas in the country and within easy commuting access from Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire, Somerset, South Wales and beyond. It has excellent road and rail links including the M4 and M5 motorways and a major mainline rail station Bristol Parkway at Stoke Gifford providing fast links to London, Birmingham, Cardiff and Southampton.

The Covid-19 outbreak has meant big changes for our staff. Many of our colleagues are currently working from home, but our strong and supportive culture, robust technology and comprehensive wellbeing measures have enabled us to thrive through adversity and deliver essential services at a time when our residents have needed us most. Our values

Our values are all about what matters to us. They guide how we are – with our customers, partners and each other. If you share our values, then you could join us and help make a difference.

Working together We share information, listen and support colleagues and work collaboratively with residents and partners.

Equality focused We embrace diversity and believe everyone should have the opportunity to be part of an inclusive environment in which respect, collaboration and fairness are part of everyday working.

Committed to our communities We put our customers and communities at the heart of everything we do, whilst also supporting individuals and groups to play an active role in helping themselves.

Ambitious and adaptable Our approach is to innovate and actively seek out and improve how we work, by embracing change and adapting to digital ways of working.

Resourceful Through dedication and commitment, we strive to give value for money for local people and use available resources sustainably.

Encouraging responsible growth All of us care about the future of South Gloucestershire and are committed to delivering affordable housing, employment opportunities and infrastructure, whilst protecting our environment for future generations. Our priorities

Creating the best start in life for our children and young people Children and young people are our future, and we are determined to give them the very best start in life. Our priority is excellence in education and skills, ensuring equal opportunities for all. We see education as the primary driver for tackling inequality and with our partners we will provide an inclusive education offer in which leaders and staff have high aspirations for all children.

Identifying and supporting those most in need and helping people to help themselves South Gloucestershire is a safe, healthy and affluent district with high levels of employment. However, inequality gaps have increased over recent years and without preventative action, the Covid-19 pandemic threatens to further hold back the prospects of the most disadvantaged.

We want to ensure that all South Gloucestershire residents lead safe and healthy lives and that they enjoy good quality health and social care which focuses on their individual needs and enables them to retain their independence. Our priorities

Promoting sustainable inclusive communities, infrastructure and growth The pace and scale of growth in recent years has presented new opportunities for our area, but also challenges.

We want to deal positively with future expansion, by planning in a sustainable and integrated way to deliver high quality life-time and affordable homes, a dynamic local economy which supports forward-looking employment opportunities, key local community facilities and a convenient and safe transport network, which meets the needs and aspirations of both existing and new communities.

Realising the full potential of our people and delivering value for money We are extremely proud of what we have achieved over recent years, continuing to offer high quality services at a time when we have delivered over a hundred million pounds in annual savings. Going forward our budgets will continue to be stretched and so delivering on our future vision requires us to achieve the best outcomes from every penny we spend, closely aligning our resources against our priorities and commitments. Our priorities

Closing the inequality gap We must re-double our efforts to promote equality and build cohesive communities. We will develop our partnerships and networks to engage directly with the most vulnerable in our communities, allowing us to better hear the voices of harder to reach groups, so we can have more meaningful conversations with them to understand their needs and can work with them in co-producing services.

Addressing the Climate Emergency In 2019 we declared a Climate Emergency, pledging to lead the way in moving South Gloucestershire to carbon neutrality by 2030. It is a big challenge, but we recognise the threats to our area – extensive parts of South Gloucestershire are subject to flood risk and the impacts of drought, high winds, and other extreme weather events due to climate change.

You can read more in our Council Plan 2020 – 2024. Advert

We’re making a difference; be a part of it. South Gloucestershire has a reputation of being a great place to live, work, learn, invest, and grow. Focusing on innovation, transformation, and sustainability, we have become stronger and more resilient than ever, working harder every day to be the council our residents expect. Even in these extraordinary times, we have been proactive, working with our outstanding partners to delivery exceptional services to our communities.

How you’ll make a difference Our new Head of Property Services will provide leadership and direction to the teams delivering services to our corporate property portfolio, across strategic asset management, facilities management, repairs & maintenance, valuation, capital programme delivery and site regeneration. By working with colleagues, both internally and externally, you will ensure all our spaces deliver demonstrable benefit to our residents, now and in the future.

In this role, you will develop more commercial and collaborative approaches to drive new and innovative delivery models whilst ensuring we can move at pace. You will provide strategic property advice to ensure our portfolio supports our strategic objectives, Council Plan, and is fit for the workforce accommodation needs of the future .

What we need from you To be successful in this post, you will have led professional property teams to deliver successful outcomes across a wide-ranging corporate property portfolio and have demonstrable experience of successfully delivering major capital programmes successfully. You will have operated successfully in a large, complex organisation delivering positive change and transformation. You will be a proactive performance manager with high standards, ensuring performance and development is effective for all staff.

You will be a strong collaborator and have the talent to gain the trust and support of our residents, as well as our partners, stakeholders, elected members, and senior officers, to make a real difference to the communities of South Gloucestershire.

This is a leadership role, and as such, we will be looking to you to drive positive cultural change and embody our behaviours and values in all that you do.

Here at South Gloucestershire Council, we serve a vibrant and diverse community and are recognised as an ambitious, forward thinking, high performing organisation. Through this period of unprecedented change, our strength has been our outstanding colleagues. We are committed to working together in an environment which is free from discrimination and where our people feel valued and respected. Director of Resources & Business Change Our structure Head of Legal, Governance Head Legal, Governance of Managing Managing Integra Director, Head Human of Resources Head of Financial Head Financial of Services Head Property of Services & Democratic & Democratic Services Technology Technology & Digital Head of Information, Head Information, of Head Strategy of & Innovation & S151 • • • and 5 waste facilities5waste and community 5centres, centres leisure 69 schools, include 17partners to leased propertiesAdditional schools maintained LA 47pars and 33car 12 libraries, 5depots, 9offices, buildings 540including main assets, 270 • • • • • • • • business support Corporate management Facilities Valuation management Energy maintenance andRepairs management Estate delivery programme Capital management asset Strategic Head of Property Services Our structure Property Investment Property & Facilities Property &Facilities Valuation Valuation & Asset Property Delivery Management Management 10 FTE 34 FTE 10 FTE 8 FTE Property Records Team Project Project Management & Bristol & Bath Science Science Bristol &Bath Property Investment QuantitySurveying Building Services Building Services & Architectural Architectural Team Building Surveying Valuation Valuation Team Facilities Facilities Team Energy Team Energy Park Park Team Team Team Team Corporate Business Business Corporate Support Role Profile | JNC2

Role Purpose Strategic leadership and delivery of a medium sized and related group of services to deliver against objectives and ensure that agreed service outcomes are met. Collaboration with other directorates/services is necessary to achieve agreed objectives. These services are most often focussed internally, delivering cross-council service provision.

These roles will form part of the senior management at the Council, and typically have medium sized teams that are delivering sets of specialised related services to form a division or function.

Roles that do not have large management responsibilities are likely to be ‘Change Leaders’ shaping innovation for their services and promoting the Council externally. They will often report to roles with a different professional background and so will exercise a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility and discretion, but a major part of their role will be to influence and work with directorates/services across the Council to enable successful service performance through collaborative working.

The focus is on the delivery of medium-term results within functional policy and precedent and outputs are subject to periodic review against targets. These roles typically report to a Director.

Core Accountabilities • Lead and control all operational activities, providing specialist advice to promote the development and delivery of working arrangements that facilitate a partnership approach to the planning, delivery, risk management and monitoring of services, ensuring that activities are delivered to the required standard • Contribute to the development of strategic recommendations whilst formulating and implementing targets and objectives to deliver the Council's strategic directives within own area of expertise. • Lead, motivate and develop staff within managed area ensuring that they are effectively deployed and developed to support a culture of high-quality performance and continuous improvement to achieve outcomes that meet the Council's strategic objectives and the needs of residents. Identify and resolve performance issues in order to support a culture of performance and productivity. • Plan, lead and monitor the use of available financial, physical, and human resources, integrating operational activities to improve efficiencies and to align the use of the resources with the strategy for the overall managed area. Develop and recommend appropriate organisation structures, compliance standards and work processes within managed area to meet the service and legislative requirements. Role Profile | JNC2

• Play an influential and innovative role in advising colleagues and stakeholders across the Council including sustaining a range of strategic partnerships with other key stakeholders to support the shaping of service delivery models, resolve high risk and complex issues and promote the best interests of the Council and its residents, ensuring the delivery of improved outcomes. • Provide significant support to Elected Members including the analysis of risks and opportunities on strategic issues that affect the Council and its reputation, preparing, and presenting operational reports and making recommendations on issues relevant to the service area, to enable senior management to make informed decisions. • Provide specific business, technical and service area expertise across the Council proposing recommendations and solutions to specific issues affecting the managed area. • Anticipate and analyse potential risks or issues relating to the managed area, in order to identify alternative methods of delivery and support the implementation of required organisational changes in response to a changing local and national context, ensuring that policies support the delivery of Council objectives and plans, and comply with relevant legislation and statutory requirements, whilst mitigating potential risks. • Develop and promote standards and processes to ensure quality, usability, consistency, and legislative compliance within the managed area, assuring the continuous improvement of these standards to ensure that they remain fit for purpose. • Head significant project programme boards to ensure vision and future shape of services are at the forefront of the work. • Provide specific business, technical and service area expertise across the Council proposing recommendations and solutions to specific issues affecting the managed area • Develop and promote standards and processes to ensure quality, usability, consistency and legislative compliance within the managed area, assuring the continuous improvement of these standards to ensure that they remain fit for purpose in line with the council's strategic plan.

Indicative Knowledge / Skills / Experience • Degree in a relevant subject, relevant professional accreditation or the equivalent demonstrable knowledge, skills and proven experience of strategic development in the managed area. • Authoritative knowledge and expertise in a specialist area typically gained through significant post qualification experience in complex, political environments. • Comprehensive understanding of local government's social and political role including knowledge of all relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local policy and procedures, national codes, and multi-disciplinary practice. • Substantial level of senior level leadership experience, providing depth and breadth of knowledge to act with credibility at this level. • Experience of leading complex projects or partnerships. Role Profile | JNC2

• Proven people management experience, including managing professional, qualified staff in a complex function. Ability to predict and plan for future. • Strong leader, persuasive and engaging who can hold people to account but also coach and develop a team. • Extensive experience providing a depth and breadth of knowledge across an organisation or acting as the organisation subject matter expert in own specialist area. • Strong financial and commercial acumen with significant experience in managing budgets and financial expenditure. Ability to identify and develop income generation opportunities. • Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills and the ability to build relationships at a political, senior and management level.

Dimensions of role • The role will control the financial expenditure and integrity of the managed area to assure compliance with regulations, Council policies and value for money. • The role will lead a medium-large/complex team and will be responsible for the effective delivery of services. • The role will plan and organise for a medium-large and complex area with activities.

Financial information • Capital • CECR £1m annual • Delivering £100m capital programme, mainly schools • Revenue - £6m (BS, Corp property and Corp fees) • £40m capital receipts target over 5 years • £5m annual income target (rent, recharges, investment) • Investment and deployment of portfolio management fund

Key Behaviours Lives South Gloucestershire Council’s values Demonstrable evidence of level 3 behaviours : • ADAPTABLE • WORKING TOGETHER • CUSTOMER AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED • DELIVERING RESULTS • EMPOWERING OTHERS • LEADING OTHERS Role Profile | JNC2

Additional job specific information The additional information below sets out the role specific accountabilities for the Head of Property Service role.

There is a political priority to invest in and best use the council’s estate to drive better outcomes for residents. The role will focus on developing more commercial and collaborative approaches, driving more innovative delivery models will be a key feature going forward – both externally to deliver schemes but also internally in how the division works across the council. Key to this will be working with colleagues across the council to support regeneration.

A background in a relevant professional discipline, for example, RICS whilst not essential would be desirable.

The post-Covid recovery presents an opportunity for the council to generate further efficiencies and service improvements from the estate.

• Lead and be accountable for the management of the Council’s property portfolio and oversee the delivery of property programmes. To be the main source of professional property advice to the Council, chief officers, and departments for all property disciplines • Provide the Council with strategic property advice by developing property initiatives and prepare the Council’s asset strategy to support the objectives of the Council Plan. • Provide advice on strategic property needs to the Director, contributing to the development of the business plan by identifying potential changes to strategic property processes/systems which will improve delivery/reduce cost. • Fulfil the role of the Council’s Strategic Asset Manager leading the development, review and implementation of a corporate Asset Management Strategy for the future which sets out how the Council’s estate will support strategic objectives and future developments and property initiatives highlighting the need for strategic acquisitions investment and disposals and collaboration with external stakeholders to deliver innovative and effective use of property assets. • Ensure the link between the asset strategy and the development of the capital programme, advising members on the priorities for capital investment in property and other property related issues. Ensure the inclusion of service specific requirements in the asset strategy through liaison with Commissioners, Directors and Senior Managers and the development/leadership of a process to collate demands/investment needs. • Ensure the regular undertaking of strategic asset reviews which identify the potential for more efficient use of the property asset, opportunities for asset sharing with partners, commercial opportunities to generate income and for asset transfers to the community. • Development and implementation of the Council accommodation strategy to support the Council in continuing to take a planned and structured approach to determining its future property needs and planning for investment in maintenance, repair and upgrading of accommodation. Role Profile | JNC2

• Ensure asset strategies, outputs and contribution to the Council are accurately measured using quantitative and qualitative metrics. • Provide advice, information and data to all to assist the submission of bids for capital funding. Development of the specific projects includes regular discussions with schools/academies/early year’s settings and requires an understanding of their requirements/budgets as well as the ability to monitor/drive the progress of individual projects from the clients’ perspective. • Establishment, review and enforcement of corporate property policies and standards, the prioritisation and commissioning of the Council’s programmes for maintenance, estate management, valuations, energy and carbon management, property reviews and the provision of specialist advice to Commissioners, Directors, Members and Cabinet. • Establish, procure, monitor and review the provision, through frameworks, contracts and commissions, of appropriate property professionals to ensure the delivery of the Council’s property programmes. • Ensure the provision of integrated and accurate property data and assets records. • Ensuring the provision of a cost-effective energy service to the Council's buildings. This to include the work needed to reduce consumption, costs and manage carbon reduction commitments. • Public engagement when required to maintain positive engagement on property related matters. Our benefits

Flexible working We offer flexible working options, including flexi-time for many of our roles (vary your daily start and finish times, you can gain additional leave from extra hours worked), job-share, part- time hours and home working.

You are welcome to discuss at your interview what options might be available in the job you are applying for.

Family friendly policies We have generous maternity, paternity, parental pay and leave benefits for dependants, adoption and bereavement.

Holiday We offer generous annual leave. You start with 24 days leave per year (pro-rata for reduced hours). After 5 years working for us this will increase to 29 days . Plus public and bank holidays (and an extra paid day at Christmas). Flexi leave offers the opportunity to take 2 extra days off per month, using additional hours you have built up with flexi-time. There is also the option to purchase 3 -10 additional days leave per year.

Local government pension scheme You will automatically be enrolled in a generous, secure pension for life that increases with the cost of living (you can still opt out). This includes a contributory 5.5%- 7.5% Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme, with the option of a tax-free lump sum on retirement and no administration costs.

Employee wellbeing You will have access to mental health and wellbeing support, along with a wide range of social and fitness groups, an independent counselling service and workplace mental health champions. Read more on our social and wellbeing page.

Career development We will help you develop your skills, to succeed both now and in the future. Our in-house learning and development team offer a wide range of training opportunities, with funding to help support you to gain appropriate qualifications. Our benefits

Long-term unpaid leave When you have worked for us for over two years you can request a long break to study, train or travel, to care for children or work in a voluntary capacity.

Staff discounts Our staff enjoy access to a range of discounts, including eye tests, travel, shopping and leisure activities.

Commuting support schemes

Cycle to work We have a cycle to work scheme which enables you to buy a bike and cycling accessories under a loan agreement where you pay for the loan out of your salary to make tax and National Insurance savings. Staff showers, lockers and bike shelters are available at some of our sites. Check our offices page for further details.

Car sharing Car sharing is a great way to save you money both on petrol and the running costs of a car and helps you do your bit for the environment. If you have three or more people in your car sharing group for your commute to work, you qualify for a car park pass. Timeline

Closing date: Midnight Monday 3rd May 2021 Longlist meeting: Week commencing 3rd May 2021 Preliminary interviews with GatenbySanderson: Week commencing 10th May 2021 Shortlist meeting: Week commencing 10th May 2021 Psychometric assessments: Week commencing 17th May 2021 Final interviews: Week commencing 24th May 2021

Please note that at interview stage you will be required to provide proof of identity. You may also be required to provide these documents should you be appointed. How to apply

Please apply for the role via the GatenbySanderson website, following the instructions.

To apply for the role, you will need to submit: • A CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and achievements • A personal statement demonstrating how you meet the skills & requirements for the role, ideally in no more than two pages • Details of two referees whom we would be able to contact at shortlist stage with your consent

Please also ensure you have completed and submitted the equal opportunities monitoring form provided. The information on the form will be treated as confidential and used for statistical purposes only. The form will not be treated as part of your application.

Closing date for applications: midnight, Monday 3rd May 2021

The How to Apply section of the website provides clear instructions, although should you have any queries in relation to the application process, or you experience difficulties uploading your application, please do not hesitate to telephone the GatenbySanderson team on 020 7426 3960.

If you have any queries regarding any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal and confidential discussion, then please contact Frazer Thouard (07384 810 743) or Gillian Young (01908 230265) who will be pleased to take your call.

GatenbySanderson will respect the privacy of any initial approach or expression of interest in this role, whether formal or informal.