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THE HISTORY OF THE
ASSET MANAGEMENT INFORMATION NETWORK
Following the DfEE programme of 15 regional NDS 3 road shows in1998, Pillar Consultancy have been working with the Architects and Buildings branch of DfEE in order to set up the Information Network specialising in Asset Management Planning for Local Authorities. The main objective of the initiative is to encourage best practice in Asset Management Planning for Local Authorities and it is being set up as a self funding initiative. A Focus Group of leading Local Authorities has been established to give guidance, contact has been made with suppliers of relevant software and this Interactive Internet Site for Asset Management Planning has been established. To disseminate information regular newsletters are planned and the first issue can be seen at letter.htm (To obtain hard copy of Internet pages see response form.)
The first major event arising out of the initiative was held at the RIBA on 5th March and the demand for delegate places was such that a repeat event was held on 16th March. Further events were held after the issue of DfEE guidance documents in July 1999. These events mark the end of the first phase of this initiative. The second phase consisted of the setting up of a Regional Network of user group meetings to provide regular local workshops on all aspects of Asset Management Planning. The regions are coordinated by and linked back to the national network. Published information will be generally available on the Internet free of charge but an annual administration charge is made for participation in the regional events and workshops.
It is intended to operate initially with a minimum of four regions (based on the DfEE outreach regions) but the numbers of participants will also be limited so that regions reaching the notional limit will be further subdivided. In order to assist in the defining of convenient regional boundaries to launch the exercise, initial expressions of interest were requested by the end of March 1999 in order to achieve the target dates for the first regional events in May 1999.
Regional events are split into presentation and workshop sessions. Speakers and Lead Authorities will be from the DfEE and the Focus Group. The annual administrative charge will either a) cover two persons attending each regional event (three events per annum ) or b) an alternative proposal being considered to cover three persons for two events per annum). Non Local Authorities and those preferring to attend and pay per event may be accommodated but only at the discretion of the Focus Group and if space is available at a particular venue. Authorities represented on the Focus Group will together with DfEE act as a sounding board for proposals and consider new ideas.
If you haven't already registered your interest in future activities by completing the response forms provided at the events on the 5th & 16th March please contact Pillar Consultancy. The Internet site will be expanded and kept up to date so please use it as your starting reference point for the latest AMP information.