Safer Neighbourhoods Property - update

Report: 11
Date: 21 July 2011
By: Assistant Commissioner for Territorial Policing and the Director of Resources on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

Following the creation of the Safer Neighbourhoods (SN) Policing concept, the MPA/MPS property programme was set up to provide local accommodation for Safer Neighbourhoods teams across London, and so far has provided 237 (2 to be completed) purpose built locations for 504 teams. These are in addition to those teams located in existing policing facilities.

This paper seeks to update Members on the progress of the property programme since the last report in November 2010.

A. Recommendations

That members are asked to:

1. Note the outcome of the Safer Neighbourhoods Review carried out by the MPS of all aspects of SN delivery and the next steps that will be taken following agreement of the SN recommendations at MPA Full Authority on 30th June 2011.
2. Note the progress made in regard to the Safer Neighbourhoods 2 Property Programme.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. The MPS launched implementation of Safer Neighbourhoods policing across London in 2004. By the end of 2006, the full rollout of 630 teams across London’s 624 wards was complete, with every ward benefiting from a policing presence of 1 sergeant, 2 constables and 3 PCSOs, the 1-2-3 model. Six additional SNTs were created to extra capacity in busy areas (Crystal Palace Triangle and Westminster).

2. The standard ‘one size fits all’ model was developed, to enable swift delivery of neighbourhood policing to London residents. As the model was embedded, Boroughs have sought to enhance flexibility ensuring that SNTs work effectively both with each other and with other police resources to deal with local problems.

TP Development SN Review

3. The review of SN Policing has been conducted as part of the TP Development Programme, a wide-ranging review of the TP Operating Model designed to deliver efficiencies and continue to improve policing services.

4. The SN Review, agreed at Management Board and discussed with the MPA, was commissioned to examine what Safer Neighbourhoods Teams (SNTs) deliver, the location and structure of SN teams and their demand.

The aim of the SN review was to examine the capability, process and structure of Safer Neighbourhoods, in order to maintain and improve the delivery of high quality neighbourhood policing. This needed to take into consideration the wider changes to TP and its overall budget. To achieve this, the review looked in particular at the current scope of SNT service delivery, the location and structure of the SNTs, and whether they are meeting the demands of the public.

5. Four main factors influenced work undertaken to meet the objectives of the SN review:

• The MPS/MPA Policing London Business Plan 2011/14
• Organisational learning as to what works in the delivery of neighbourhood policing
• Changes to the MPS balanced policing model generated by developments in other areas of the TP Development and other organisational change programmes.
• The views and requirements of stakeholders, partners and Londoners

6. The review undertook consultation at Strategic, Borough and Ward level, capturing the views of strategic partners, stakeholders, and the public. Boroughs were asked to conduct an internal assessment of their SN model and identify options for service delivery. Simultaneously, the MPA conducted an independent scrutiny of aspects of SN delivery, which reported on 17 March 2011.

Findings of the Review

7. The findings of the review were presented to the MPA Strategic operational Policing Sub-Committee on 16 June 2011 and to MPA Full Authority on 30 June 2011. The Report confirmed that the internal, external and public consultations have been consistent and are aligned with MPA scrutiny recommendations. In summary the MPS review found:

• A strong support for Safer Neighbourhoods;
• A desire for even closer partnership working with Local Authorities and other strategic partners with improved sharing of intelligence, tasking, service provision, accommodation and procurement; and
• Flexibility within central parameters for individual boroughs to deliver ‘Safer’ services.

8. Operating within a complex policing environment, the review also concluded that several operational areas may also have implications for future operating models including, but not limited to public access, Safer Transport/Hub teams; Safer Schools and response policing. The outcomes sought from the future Safer Neighbourhood Teams is detailed in the review paper as discussed on 16 June 2011.

SN property programme

9. From its inception all 630 SN Teams were accommodated within the MPA property estate, with a total of 160 purpose built bases, housing 340 teams being delivered through the 1st Stage of the SN property programme.

10. The second stage ‘SN2’ Programme was originally tasked to provide bases for approximately 170 safer neighbourhoods (‘SN’) teams in 124 separate locations. Following an assessment of the entire requirement in 2010, and with the (then) forthcoming Safer Neighbourhood Review TP’s Property for Policing working with PSD reduced the requirement at that time to the provision of 77 bases. Following discussion at the MPA Finance and Resources Committee in November 2010, it was agreed that the roll out of further schemes would be ‘paused’, on the understanding of the MPA that the provision of the additional bases previously required would be considered further. 75 of the 77 bases were provided by May 2011, a further base is included within the scheme at Sovereign Gate and the final site under this phase has been identified at Holloway Fire Station and will be completed in Quarter 4 2011/12.

11. The current financial position in regard to the property programme is detailed under the financial implications.

12. The pause in the property programme will enable the findings of the SN Review to be included in future property solutions, which will include exploring opportunities to co-locate/share services with other Local and Central Government teams. Based on the proposals presented to the MPA on 16 June and 30 June, the MPS are now implementing the Transition Period and Stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhoods Review. This will include consideration of the Corporate Real Estate approach to the provision of accommodation, including maximising opportunities to share services and co-locate, as well as examine the performance of existing sites. As part of an estate review process, those sites with potential lease breaks to be given full consideration and assessments taken as to whether lease options should be taken, or conversely whether lease terms should be re-negotiated with landlords. There are 78 bases held on leasehold terms with lease expiries of break options in the next 3 years, where the MPA have opportunities to re-negotiate existing term. These are detailed below, the MPA remain in occupation of the six sites with leases that were due to expire in 2010/11 under the protection of Landlord and Tenant law; none of the 9 break options that were open to the MPA in 2010/11 were exercised.

13. The numbers of bases to be reviewed in the short term are:

1. Lease expiries in 2011/12 4
2. Optional break clauses in 2011/12 39
3. Lease expiries in 2012/13 0
4. Optional break clauses in 2012/13 20
5. Lease expiries in 2013/14 2
6. Optional break clauses in 2013/14 13

14. Working alongside TP, consideration that will be made through this next stage will include:

1. Operational requirements to further ward based presence including public access;
2. Opportunities with Partner Organisations to further share/co-locate facilities/teams. Recent examples include Local Authority premises at The Toby Club, Bethnal Green, Tower Hamlets and Local Authority facilities at Harrow Civic Centre;
3. Impacts on Partner Organisations through proposals that may be developed (where existing facilities are provided by the MPS, due consideration must be given to the result of any MPS related proposal);
4. Embedding corporate real estate standards; maximising the use of facilities supporting MPS teams - to date bespoke facilities have been provided for SN teams, opportunities must be explored in locating SN teams at other operational policing locations (e.g. Polar Park, Heathrow; Sovereign Gate, Richmond),
5. A thorough review of the current design standards applied to facilities, including potential to reduce ICT support in the provision of further locations to provide more flexibility in the locations that can be considered/opportunities that can be taken and minimise fit-out and maintenance costs, and
6. Costs and benefits of the change, within the broader parameters of current budgets.

15. The estate review process will be governed by the SN Project Board which reports to the TP Development Programme. The Project Board will oversee the standards applied to SN facilities and the principles governing proposals, and explore opportunities to reduce specifications and ultimately, the cost of solutions to drive greater value for money. Regular updates will continue to be provided to the MPA Finance and Resources Committee. Previously submitted on a 6 monthly basis, the next report will tie into the broader SN Implementation Plan.

16. In considering accommodation solutions for future Safer Neighbourhood bases, the MPS will also include opportunities to co-locate teams with public access facilities. This will be based on the outcome of the Safer Neighbourhood Review and the outcome of the Public Access Review which is nearing completion.

C. Other organisational and community implications

Equality and Diversity Impact

1. Property Services promote equal opportunities, amongst diverse communities and across its supply chain and will undertake procurement in line with the MPA’s Equal Opportunities Policies.

2. In accordance with Property Services standards all building designs take account of accessibility and disability matters (access, signage etc.). On a site by site basis, due consideration is given to other adjustments and requirements in relation to the Protected Characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

3. Operational matters to meet Disability Discrimination Act (Equality Act requirements rather than Disability Act) service needs and local requirements are also fully assessed in terms of the TPHQ set operational model and by the local BOCU as part of the overall process.

Consideration of Met Forward

4. The future provision of SN bases supports the support stand of Met Forward. This review is being carried out against the need to review the estates programme and the current economic environment. The MPS will continue to provide a visible policing presence in the community.

Financial Implications

5. MPS Capital and Revenue Budgets were adjusted in 2010/11 and in 2011/12, as a result of the pause in the SN Property Programme pending the outcome of the SN Review. PSD/DoI revenue savings of £5m per year from 2011/12 have already been built into the 2011/14 medium term financial plan. It is therefore critical that the accommodation implications of the SN Review are determined as quickly as possible.

Legal Implications

6. This is an update report presented for information only; therefore there are no direct legal implications that arise.

7. The MPA under s120 of the Local Government Act 1972 has the power to acquire any property including a lease and also has the power to do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of any of its functions under s111 of that Act as if it were a “local authority” .

8. Any contract award in respect of goods, works or services associated with the Safer neighbourhood programme will be required to be carried out in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2006, and the MPA’s standing orders under Part F.

9. Decisions by the MPA/MPS about the Safer Neighbourhood model must be decided by having due regard to the Policing Plan.

Environmental Implications

10. The anticipated environmental implications are tabulated below:

The MPS will identify opportunities for improving efficiency and minimising environmental impact associated with the provision of TP accommodation.

Risk Implications

11. The review of the property related Safer Neighbourhoods programme is expected to identify the potential for a reduction in ongoing revenue expenditure levels, and reducing further capital outlay. These reviews require significant coordination and call for excellent communications with all stakeholders including the interested parties at ward and borough level.

D. Background papers

• MPA Finance and Resources Committee Stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhood Property Programme – Update – March 2010
• MPA Finance and Resources Committee Stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhood Property Programme – Update – 18 November 2010
• MPA Equality and Diversity Sub-Committee - Promoting Equality Within the Estate Strategy - 2 June 2011

E. Contact details

Report authors: Jane Bond, Director Property Services, MPS

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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