Catalogue description Records of the Directorate of Civil Accommodation

Throughout its history the Directorate was subject to a number of organisational changes, which resulted in the creation of a number of file series prefixes. Many of these overlapped and contained similar material. In addition, DCA works papers were placed on files created by other directorates or divisions (for example, on PO and POA files when Post Office, then British Telecom, services became the responsibility of DCA). As organisational changes took place, some files, but not all, were re-registered.

With its extensive responsibilities, DCA administration papers appear in a number of file series and there was not always a clear distinction between its works, contracts and administration functions. Some of the file series taken over by the Directorate (eg HEA series) continued for some time after its formation in 1976; not all of these were re-registered in the DCA series.

The Directorate of Civil Accommodation (DCA) was formed in 1976 as a result of a wide-ranging reorganisation of the Property Services Agency (PSA). It took over the functions of a number of old directorates and branches, principally the Directorate of Home Estate Management.

The Directorate formed part of the command of the Deputy Chief Executive 1. It was replaced when the new PSA businesses were established in April 1990. It was responsible for the overall management of the government civil estate, including preparation and control of the civil building programmes, establishment of space and accommodation standards, design and supervision of the construction of major specialist buildings in England and Wales, and in conjunction with the Directorate of Home Regional Services (DHRS), oversight of construction programmes entrusted to regional offices.

DCA was also responsible for the Property Repayment System (PRS), introduced in 1982-1984. Through PRS, government departments were charged for the space they occupied and the services they received, although PSA remained responsible for the size and shape of the civil estate and for managing it economically and efficiently to meet the needs of government.

In 1981 the Directorate of Post Office Services was renamed British Telecom Services Division and became part of the DCA.

In 1990 DCA was merged into the new Projects and Building Management businesses.