SENIOR councillors have said they are doing all they can to make sure publicly-owned assets are not standing idle.

They were reacting to comments made by Local Government minister Eric Pickles, who has urged authorities to publish lists of their buildings and landholdings and consider selling some to raise funds.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Pickles drew attention to some surprising council-owned assets including Southend Airport, owned by Southend Council.

The authority leases the airport to the Stobart Group at a profit, which it expects to rise once expansion plans take hold.

Other assets owned by Southend Council, include the town’s pier, Adventure Island leisure park and almost 500 beach huts.

Andrew Moring, Southend councillor for corporate services, said: “Southend Council has a land bank and we sell off unused land as and when the market conditions mean we can make the most money from it.

“We are also working on bringing more council offices into the town centre, which may allow us to sell off outlying buildings.”

It is estimated there are in the region of 180,000 public-sector assets in the UK, worth in excess of £385billion.

Almost two thirds of them are owned by local councils.

Many of these assets, such as schools and council homes, must remain in public hands, while some make a profit, such as town centre shops.

Basildon Council sold off Markhams Chase Sports Centre and Gloucester Park Swimming Pool to fund the building of the Sporting Village.

Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said: “I agree with Eric Pickles and I think he has been reasonable in ordering councils to produce a list of the assets.

“Transparency is key to letting the people of Basildon know that we are a responsible council, in showing the assets we own, and also how we have spent it.”

Terry Cutmore, leader of Rochford Council, said his authority was hoping to make money from selling two buildings in South Street, Rochford.

He said: “It’s all well and good suggesting this, but it’s a bit like selling off the family silver. Once they are gone, they’re gone for good.”