THE States’ record on its management of public buildings has been criticised by the Treasury and Resources minister. Deputy Lyndon Trott said that it was losing thousands of pounds a day due to mismanagement of some of its 3,000 properties.

He has mooted a sell-off of wasteful property and it is understood that the department is drawing up a policy to develop this.

‘Inefficient use of buildings is an additional cost to the States and, therefore, a burden on the taxpayer,’ he said.

‘If a property is no longer suitable for its purpose or is, say, becoming expensive to maintain, we should be looking to see if there is a use for it elsewhere in the States or dispose of it for alternative uses.’

Funds could be used for new premises, within a managed programme, or in dealing with a maintenance backlog, which Deputy Trott admitted had occurred when the States had been slow to invest adequately in its property stock.

Deputy Trott has also set up a dedicated strategic property unit, within the department, which takes on management responsibilities from the former Advisory and Finance Committee and day-to-day property management and maintenance from the former Board of Administration.

‘The States owns in the region of 3,200 properties ranging from the Royal Court to beach kiosks.

‘They have an estimated overall value of some £1.5bn. I am determined to ensure that these properties should serve the States of Guernsey well.

‘They must be managed properly to ensure that the States get best value from this enormous portfolio.