Written Statement: Publication of the Estate Co-Location and Land Transfer Protocol, Guidance on the Acquisition and Disposal of Land and Property Assets by Welsh Government

The Welsh public sector is a significant economic force with a clear mandate to drive our commitment to deliver a more equal and greener Wales. The effective use of our public sector land and property assets will be important in helping us build economic resilience in the face of the challenges that now face us. The establishment of the Land Division has been timely, but it is essential that we now take every opportunity to collaborate with our public sector partners to gain the most from our collective assets.

The Land Release Fund, a £5 million grant scheme, was announced on 6 May to support the release of land for much-needed affordable and social housing. This is only part of the picture. It is essential that we both demonstrate and promote best practice in asset management by taking a strategic approach across the public sector in Wales.

The important work of Ystadau Cymru continues and I am today publishing an updated Estate Co-Location and Land Transfer Protocol to highlight the opportunities presented from a simplified approach to the disposal, transfer and sharing of land and property assets between public sector bodies in Wales. This is complemented by the publication, as part of our own Corporate Asset Management Strategy, of Welsh Government’s own good practice guidance for the Acquisition and Disposal of land and property assets.

COVID-19 has demonstrated how well the public sector can work together in a crisis. The economic impact of COVID-19 will require us to continue to develop a close and collaborative approach across the whole public sector and this suite of guidance will support progress towards a more sustainable public estate.