National Best Value Benchmarking Scheme (NBVBS)

Question: How often should Condition surveys be carried out?

Answer: The RICS guidance on condition surveys states that:
‘In practice judging when a component is likely to fail or require repairs is difficult. One approach is to limit judgements on replacement and maintenance activities to 5 years or less'

In the current climate a decision needs to be made as to what the information is to be used for, either a basic assessment of maintenance need - in which case 5 years is adequate if more strategic data is required then the survey should be extended to a longer period.

We find that most authorities survey every five years and generally cover a 5 year period, although this does varying and where surveys are carried out for PPP proposals surveys generally cover a 25 year period. Whether, in the current economic climate, authorities will continue to survey every five years remains to be seen. Authorities should also be updating surveys to reflect works carried out on the buildings.

Question: What is the deadline for filing NaPPMI returns for 2009/10 data? When will the summary report be produced?

Answer: We are encouraging all authorities to submit their NaPPMI returns before the end of December 2010. Returns received later than this will still be processed, but may be too late for inclusion in the summary report which we intend to compile from validated data in February 2011.

Question: Isn't that earlier than in previous years?

Answer:  Yes. We have brought forward the dates because many authorities need the summary report of the NaPPMI data before the start of the following financial year. We would be pleased to receive further feedback on this timetable.

Question: Will the NaPPMI questionnaire be changed to use the IFRS classifications?

Answer: Yes. The IFRS classifications came into effect in April 2010. We will be changing the questionnaire for 2010/11 data to allow for this.

Question: I have a query about a definition, what should i do?

Answer: Firstly check in the module to see if there is additional information. This is usually signified by a ?. If you still have a query then please contact the technical help as noted above.

Question: I put a comma in one field (i.e. 10,000) and the system appeared to crash?

Answer Never use commas or other symbols when entering data. This is because the computer reads the comma as a break and then tries to resolve two figures in the same box.

Question: Who can enter data?

Answer: Only one person from each authority can enter or alter the data related to their authority. Although only one person can enter data, anyone within the authority can view the data and the histograms

Question: Do I have to fill in all the fields within a module?

Answer No, you only have to fill in those fields which are important to you orforwhich you have information. Clearly the more data that is entered the better the comparisons will be.