Sustainable development in Defra - Part G: Estate management and construction
Introduction
Target G1 - Estate management strategy
Target G1A - SD in new build and refurbishment
Target G1B - Risks of climate change
Target G1C - Refrigerants
Target G1D - Heritage buildings
Target G1E - Disposal of surplus land and buildings
Target G1F - Contaminated land
Target G2 - Contracts
Responsibilities
Within Defra the chain of responsibility for delivering the targets in Part C of the Framework is:
- Ben Bradshaw - Sustainable Development Minister
- Helen Ghosh - Permanent Secretary
- Andrew Burchell - DG Chief Operating Officer
- Francesca Okosi - Director of Human Resources & Corporate Services
The Chief Executives of the nine agencies attached to Defra:
- Mark Farrar - Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)
- Professor Michael Roberts - Central Science Laboratory (CSL)
- Robert Bettley-Smith - Government Decontamination Service (GDS)
- Nigel Gooding - Marine Fisheries Agency (MFA)
- Dr Kerr Wilson - Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD)
- Tony Cooper (interim) - Rural Payments Agency (RPA)
- Glenys Stacey - State Veterinary Service (SVS)
- Professor Steven Edwards - Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA)
- Steven Dean - Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD)
Data collection systems
Data on the Defra estate is collected using a bespoke database called Romeo II. A replacement system is currently under review and this entry will be updated once a decision is reached on a successor.
Mechanisms to be used to improve performance
Further details of the mechanisms and strategies used to improve the management of the Defra estate will be published under each of the targets below, as they are agreed.
Resources required
Resources required are likely to include financial, staff, time, co-operation and consultancy. Further details will be posted here as strategies are developed and our requirements become clearer.
Milestones & review dates
- Action plans to be published below by 5 February 2005
- Review progress on strategy by 31 July 2005
- Publish estate management strategy by 1 December 2005 (target G1)
- Agreed checklist for sustainable development considerations for construction projects by 31 October 2005 (target G1A)
- Establish methodology for assessing climate change risks by 31 March 2005 (target G1B)
- Complete review of sites for refrigerants, ozone depleting substances and high global warming potential by 1 September 2005 (target G1C)
- Draw up plans for systematic replacement or modification for systems identified in the bullet point above by 1 September 2005 (target G1C).
- Issue biennial report Defra's historic estate by July 2005 (target G1D)
- Complete review of disposals policy by 1 December 2005 (target G1E)
- Statement on contaminated land on the Defra estate to be published by 31 December 2005 (target G1F)
- Establishment of ED contracts Unit by April 2005 (see target G2).
Target G1 - Estate management strategy
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Target G1 - Estate Management Strategy |
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Target G1 - By 1 December 2005, each Department will draw up an estates management strategy, or review that which is already in place, to fully incorporate significant issues for sustainable development. These should include: i. measures adopted to address any significant impacts identified. ii. where relevant, the themes and related targets detailed in this document on: (a) construction and demolition; |
Defra response - Target G1 - Estate management strategy
Defra's Estates Division (ED) plans to review all existing internal operational guides to ensure that sustainable development issues are appropriately and adequately covered. An overarching Estate Management and Construction Strategy document will be created to facilitate access to current internal and external guidance and codes. All relevant parts of Defra and Executive Agencies will be consulted and the strategy will be published and disseminated to staff before 1 December 2005. This site will carry a link to the published strategy.
Target G1A - SD in new build and major refurbishment projects
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Target G1A - SD in new build and major refurbishment projects |
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Target G1A - Departments will incorporate a full range of sustainable development considerations into all new build and major refurbishment construction projects where design commences on or after 1 December 2005. These projects should incorporate the targets and principles laid out within the Government's Common Minimum Standards for the Procurement of Built Environments, and follow the guidance laid out in the OGC Achieving Excellence in Construction Guide 11: Sustainability |
Defra response - Target G1A - SD in new build and major refurbishment
Defra's ESSD has been applying sustainable development principles to all new build and major refurbishment projects for some years. In response to this target we will devise a comprehensive checklist against which each project can be measured and audited. The checklist will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Target G1B - Risks of climate change
| Target G1B - Risks of climate change |
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Target G1B - As part of their Estates Management Strategies, Departments will have processes in place to: i. assess the risks and potential opportunities to their estates posed by climate change and variable weather, including higher average temperatures, heavier winter rainfall, decreased summer rainfall, sea level rise[1], and the increased risk of flooding; ii. identify opportunities to: (a) site new developments in areas that are less vulnerable to climate change impacts, and/or (b) build resilience to climate change into new developments and major refurbishment projects. |
Defra response - Target G1B - Risks of climate change
In response to this target we will review the locations of existing Defra properties to assess risks from the climate change impacts listed. Where appropriate action plans will be put in place to manage the risks and critical assessments will be made when leases etc are reviewed, particularly before they are renewed. Climate resilience will be a significant consideration in planning and construction of new builds and major refurbishments, and these factors will form part of assessments when properties are being sought for occupation.
Target G1C - Refrigerants
| Target G1C - Refrigerants |
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Target G1C - As part of their Estates Management Strategies, Departments in consultation with specialists where necessary will: i. incorporate action plans for their estate for the systematic replacement* or modification of fixed refrigeration, air-conditioning and fire protection equipment containing ozone-depleting substances and those with a high global warming potential, with alternatives. As a minimum, action plans should ensure that they reflect current Government policy. ii. put procedures in place to ensure that HFCs and other greenhouse gases with a high GWP are not used where safe, cost-effective and technically feasible and more environmentally alternatives can be used; and, iii. justify publicly any decision to use HFCs in a new build, major refurbishment, or chiller replacement scheme. iv. * Systematic replacement refers to where new systems are installed or where old systems become redundant and are replaced. |
Defra response - Target G1C - Refrigerants
Defra favours naturally ventilated buildings unless there are compelling reasons to install chillers or air conditioning. We plan to review our records of sites that have systems containing refrigerants, ozone depleting substances and those with high global warming potential. This will clearly show planned replacement dates that ensure legal compliance. The checklist for construction and refurbishment projects, mentioned at G1A above will set clear guidance on use of these substances and the need to justify their use if no alternative can be found.
Target G1D - Heritage buildings
| Target G1D - Heritage buildings |
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Target G1D - As part of their Estates Management Strategies, Departments with historic property will: i. formally adopt DCMS's Protocol for the Care of the Historic Government Estate. Where responsibility for management of historic property is transferred to the private sector, for example through PPP/PFI arrangements, the Protocol standards should be incorporated into the contractual arrangements. ii. incorporate plans for reducing, by means other than disposal, the number of 'Buildings at Risk' on their estate, as reported in DCMS Biennial Conservation Reports - The Government Historic Estate. iii. have in place arrangements for complete coverage of quadrennial condition surveys for listed buildings, in accordance with the Protocol for the Care of the Government Historic Estate. iv. have in place arrangements for protecting, maintaining and enhancing other heritage sites including for example archaeological sites, historic parks and gardens for which they are responsible. |
Defra response - Target G1D - Heritage buildings
Defra has formally adopted the DCMS Protocol for Care of the Historic Government and Estate insofar as DEFRA complies with the request from English Heritage to produce a biennial report of the historic estate. The Defra estate has 8 buildings that fall within this category, the regional split is: London 4; Southeast 2; East Midlands 1; Yorks/Humber 3. In addition there are two archaeological sites: Bastle House, Redesdale and a small part of Bridgets Farm. The last Biennial Conservation Report (June 2003) did not identify any of the buildings/sites at risk. The next biennial report is due summer 2005.
Target G1E - Disposal of surplus land
| Target G1E - Disposal of surplus land |
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Target G1E - As part of their Estates Management Strategies, Departments will: i. review procedures for the prompt disposal of surplus land, buildings and other premises, to achieve overall value for money for the taxpayer and in line with other Government policies and documents regarding the disposal of assets; and, ii. include procedures to ensure that where the disposal affects property of particular value (e.g. in terms of wildlife, public access, cultural heritage, archaeology, or landscape) arrangements are made to secure its sensitive management during and after its disposal. As a minimum Departments should satisfy themselves that a prospective purchaser has the capability and resources to manage the property appropriately and that their plans for its use would not be significantly detrimental to its value (as defined above). This may require a risk assessment in proportion to the size and type of asset (of what could happen to the assets following disposal). Appropriate requirements should be made contractual conditions of transfer to any third party. |
Defra response - Target G1E - Disposal of surplus land and buildings
The inventory of Defra properties is under constant review. Rationalisation of the estate, liaising with customers / clients to achieve value for money in line with wider Government initiatives is a major policy initiative. Estate Policy Branch in conjunction with colleagues from Land and Property Branch will adopt a formal business management system which will allow for the prompt disposal of surplus land, buildings and other premises, to achieve overall value for money for the taxpayer. The process will allow for all socio-economic and environmental factors to be considered and risk assessments implemented.
Target G1F - Contaminated land
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Target G1F - As part of its Estates Management Strategy and environmental management system documentation, each Department will make a statement about land contamination. Taking account of the nature of its business now or in the past, this will describe what it is doing to consider the condition of land that it owns or occupies, or previously owned or occupied, with respect to any land contamination for which it might be responsible. Where appropriate this should cover:
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Defra response - Target G1F - Contaminated land
Using Defra's own guidance on policy and law on this subject - www.defra.gov.uk/environment/land/contaminated/pubs.htm#1n
and our records of previous and current land use for our holdings, we
plan to review our estate consulting with the appropriate monitoring authority
under the Contaminated Land Regime as necessary. This Statement
on Land Contamination 
(16 KB) gives details of our action plan.
Target G2 - Contracts
| Target G2 - Contracts |
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Target G2 - Where appropriate, Departments will include clauses relating to sustainable development issues in all estates management and construction tender specifications and contracts initiated on or after 1 December 2005. These clauses should also ensure that the end-product or service is in full compliance with the suite of targets in all sections of the Framework - as reflected in departmental specific strategies and be for the life of the contract. i. This target includes partnership contracts, such as PPPs and PFIs; in developing contracts, Departments should include the principles laid out in relevant documents such as Green Public Private Partnerships. |
Defra response - Target G2 - Contracts
A new Contracts Team is to be set up in Defra's ED in April 2005. The remit of this team will include responsibility for drawing up procedures to ensure that this target is achieved.
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Page last modified:
28 July 2006
Page published: 7 February 2005