With challenging funding constraints across the public sector likely to continue for the foreseeable future the need to drive greater long term value through our built environment assets has never been more important. Pressure on both capital and operational budgets mean that neither can be viewed in isolation.

Poor and short term decisions to reduce expenditure on capital projects can have serious implications for longer term running costs. Conversely the performance of a well-built project will be seriously compromised if poorly maintained and operated.

In response to this issue CEW, in support of the CLAW Design Group, held its latest Public Sector Forum last Friday to review the importance and application of whole life costing in the context of public assets. The event focused on a number of theoretical and practical case studies and offered potential approaches to quantify costs both in terms of pounds and carbon. The public sector audience were provided with a range of perspectives on the subject which stimulated a lively debate amongst the audience on how this approach could be sensibly applied in a public sector context and how it could drive value for money. It’s fair to say that the audience offered a variety of their own perspectives on this subject and its importance, or not, in a public sector context.

The event was opened by Ed Evans, Director with CEW, who set the scene for the day, particularly in the context of the financial pressures facing the public sector. Chris Howe of Atkins followed and he focused on the capital and operational considerations to be made at the design stages. Daniel Jermin and Ceri Jones of Faithful and Gould then considered the strategic business case and the early considerations which have greatest bearing on the long term sustainability of any project. The final speaker, Andy Sutton of BRE, explained the concept of ‘integrated design’ which involves selecting whole life optimal design solutions through a collaborative approach.

Following a further debate the event was closed by Ed who summed up with a reminder that those public sector officers involved in the planning, delivery, maintenance and operation of public sector assets would be exposed more and more to the need to assess future project viability on a whole life cost basis. This matter won’t go away!