Review of Scottish Government estates and costs: FOI release

Information requested

1. What was the final result of the Scottish Government review of its estate - as stated in numerous media comments about empty buildings - and could you supply all documentation surrounding this, including the review? How many Scottish Government-operated buildings have been shut in the last three years, and how many are still open to staff, with a list of these?

2. How much has the Scottish Government paid to run its estate in the last three years, with a breakdown per year and of the costs?

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested in the format requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. The reasons why we don't have the information are explained below.

An exemption(s) under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not hold some of the information requested under this FOI. There has not been a single or concluded review of the SG estate.

The SG estate is under continuous review with information being collated to allow decisions to be made. A summary of the approach to estates planning is set out below. There are no empty buildings on the SG core estate.

The approach to reviewing the SG Estate aligns with the Scottish Public Finance Manual Scottish Public Finance Manual - gov.scot and guidance provided under the Single Scottish Estate Programme Single Scottish Estate - Public sector procurement - gov.scot.

The SG Core Estate Strategy document is being revised in line with changing internal and external drivers specific to SG requirements and follows on from the Central Estate Strategy, published in April 2019 Central estate: strategy - gov.scot.

The revised Estate Strategy, when complete, will set out at a high level direction of travel for the estate which will guide subsequent decisions on individual buildings; and a refreshed Asset Plan will focus on the individual buildings. An updated Estate Strategy is expected to be published during 25/26, but the Asset Plan is for internal use as it is commercially sensitive with information that could prejudice future decisions and will not be published. An exemption(s) under section 33 (1) (b) of FOISA releasing this information would have substantial prejudice to commercial interests.

The asset plan will capture data, lease information, including for example, usage and occupancy (where available), emissions, accessibility, capacity, space needs and SSE opportunities, as well as information on building and mechanical and electrical plant condition.

Over the last 3 years 12 buildings have been closed for use by SG staff with a further 2 buildings scheduled to close in 25/26 financial year. Staff have relocated to existing SG core or other public bodies buildings. A list of those buildings and date of closure is in the attached table.

The Scottish Government Core Estate is made up of 66 buildings, approximately 50 of these are workplace locations with the remainder being specialist stores or structures in varying locations across Scotland. A list of these buildings is provided in the attached table.

How much has the Scottish Government paid to run its estate in the last three years, with a breakdown per year and of the costs?

The Scottish Government has paid £60,363,169 to run its estate over the last three years. Further details and a breakdown of costs are provided in the attached table.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500477236 - Information Released - Annex

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