Transfer of front counter facilities - Haringey borough

Report: 11
Date: 18 March 2010
By: Assistant Commissioner Territorial Policing on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This report seeks the approval of the Finance and Resource Committee for the transfer of the front counter services on Haringey Borough Operational Command Unit from Wood Green police station to the Safer Neighbourhoods base for Alexandra and Bounds Green wards, known as Fishmonger’s Arms.

The Committee is also asked to note the future plans for Wood Green police station site.

The proposal is supported by the MPA led Estate Review Panel.

A. Recommendations

That Members

1. Approve the transfer of the front counter service from Haringey police station to new accommodation within the Safer Neighbourhoods base for Alexandra and Bounds Green wards, which is supported by the MPA led Estate Review Panel
2. Note the future plans for the Wood Green police station site.

B. Supporting information

1. On 21 January 2010 the Finance and Resource Committee approved the process for agreeing changes to the public facing estate. This report follows that process, and sets out the position on Haringey Borough, specifically in relation to front counter services at Wood Green police station and the future plans for that site.

2. The move of the front counter is part of the changes needed on the borough to allow the estate to be modernised. It is currently part of the Wood Green police station for which there are development plans and the front counter needs to be placed elsewhere to allow those plans to be delivered. There is positive support for the need for changes to the estate, however the policing facility that will be on the Wood Green site is not yet determined. The options are a borough based custody centre (patrol base facilities are currently provided at Quicksilver) or a joint custody centre and patrol base.

3. More discussion and engagement is required on the future of the Wood Green site. In the meantime, the move of the front counter services has local support.

4. The MPA link member Joanne McCartney and local MP Lynne Featherstone have both expressed their support for the transfer of front counter facilities now to the Alexandra and Bounds Green wards base. It has been agreed that the use of, and response to, the new facilities will be monitored and that the engagement on the Wood Green site will not preclude the move back to that site of front counter services if the Fishmongers Arms does not prove successful. Therefore, in addition to monitoring the use of the site, an assessment will be made of the cost and other implications of any future move of the front counter to enable fully informed decisions to be made. Front counter activity will be part of the engagement activity for the new facility at the Wood Green police station site.

5. Haringey Council Chief Executive and other stakeholders are aware of the new facility at Fishmonger’s Arms and have expressed an interest in the opening of the new front counter as they see this currently going unused.

Haringey Borough Asset Management Plan

6. Modernisation of the estate in Haringey began through the delivery of Safer Neighbourhoods bases and in November 2007 the Haringey Asset Management Plan (AMP) was published. At the time of publication operational policing in Haringey was supported from:

• Wood Green police station - to be redeveloped as a combined 24/7 patrol base and custody centre (as stated in this report, the policing facility here is now yet to be determined). Occupants of this site have now been relocated to the newly provided patrol base ‘Quicksilver’ in Western Road, Haringey. The public front counter, which remains currently remains open at this site, is the subject of this report. Delivery is anticipated in 2012
• New open plan office space - to accommodate several office-based teams including the Criminal Justice functions. (This was provided in December 2007)
• Muswell Hill police station - this site will be reviewed for operational purposes following delivery of the custody centre and patrol base. A new Safer Neighbourhoods base and front counter in the centre of Muswell Hill would need to be provided prior to the MPA considering the future of this site
• Tottenham police station - this site to be assessed to provide a better use of space following provision of the custody centre and patrol base
• Hornsey police station - this site to be assessed to provide a better use of space following provision of the custody centre and patrol base
• St. Ann’s Road police station - future use of this site may be reviewed in the longer term
• New Safer Neighbourhoods bases - will provide accommodation for each Safer Neighbourhoods team currently housed in temporary accommodation. (Progress is being made with two new sites almost complete and one requirement outstanding)
• New front counters - a new front counter has been provided at the Alexandra and Bounds Green wards base (Fishmonger’s Arms) and is the subject of this report. A further front counter would be required to replace Muswell Hill prior to the MPA considering the future of that site (see third bullet point above)

7. In addition to the sites above, operational policing is also delivered from the following Safer Neighbourhoods bases

• The Collection - Stroud Green, Crouch End, Highgate and Hornsey Safer Neighbourhoods teams
• Turnpike Parade - Harringay and Noel Park Safer Neighbourhoods teams
• Roundway - Woodside, White Hart Lane, West Green and Bruce Grove Safer Neighbourhoods teams
• Fishmonger’s Arms - Alexandra and Bounds Green Safer Neighbourhoods teams

8. Since the publication of the Asset Management Plan in November 2007 the MPA has provided new facilities to support operational policing at :

1. Quicksilver patrol base
2. New office accommodation at Lymington Avenue
3. Fishmonger’s Arms Safer Neighbourhoods base for Alexandra and Bounds Green wards, with a new front counter facility (subject of this report)

9. The transfer of front counter facilities to Fishmonger’s Arms Safer Neighbourhoods base will move the borough towards the overall modernisation of the estate in Haringey.

Wood Green police station front counter

10. The Victorian built Wood Green police station does not offer adequate and appropriate facilities for operational policing. Due to the age and design of the front counter it is not DDA compliant with no low level counter facility. In addition, one of the interview areas is not separated from the waiting area so there is no guarantee of privacy when talking to front counter staff. There are inadequate IT facilities available which may impact on waiting times. This facility is open 24/7. Appendix 1 - Wood Green police station - highlights the current facilities at this site.

11. Transport links to this site are adequate with a bus stop immediately outside the police station. Some parking is available in the local vicinity.

Alexandra and Bounds Green Safer Neighbourhood base (Fishmonger’s Arms)

12. Fishmonger’s Arms is a newly built Safer Neighbourhoods base with modern front counter facilities to provide an improved environment as a replacement front counter service for Wood Green police station. It is DDA compliant and includes a low level counter and hearing loop facility. Interview areas are separate from the waiting area thereby ensuring privacy for visitors. Appendix 2 - Fishmonger’s Arms - highlights the new facilities at this site.

13. The new facility will be open 24/7. It is situated next to Haringey Civic Centre with good transport links being close to Wood Green underground station and the shopping centre. Haringey bus garage is also close by. Fishmonger’s Arms is located approximately 200 metres from the current facility. Appendix 3 - Proximity Map - shows the proximity of the new front counter facilities at Fishmonger’s Arms in relation to Wood Green police station. It also shows the proximity of the public transport links and Haringey Civic Centre.

Principles to govern the transfer of front counter facilities

14. The MPA Member Led Estate Panel has directed that a number of principles should be met prior to the Finance & Resource Committee approving transfer of front counter facilities and these are outlined below for Haringey BOCU.

• The new front counter facility at Fishmonger’s Arms Safer Neighbourhoods base is Disability Discrimination Act compliant. It is easily accessible and has a hearing loop fitted
• Fishmonger’s Arms is located is located within approximately 200 metres Wood Green police station
• The front counter facility will be open for the same opening hours as Wood Green police station front counter, that is 24/7

Engagement activity

• Engagement activity has been undertaken by the Borough Commander and overall there is a general awareness and support among key community leaders for the current modernisation plans for Haringey
• Current plans for publicising the new front counter facility include an opening ceremony at Fishmonger’s Arms. This will be supported by leaflets and posters explaining the changes and the benefits to local residents
• The MPA link member and local MP have both expressed support for the front counter transfer on the basis that future engagement on the Wood Green site will not preclude the move back to the provision of front counter facilities on that site if the Fishmongers Arms is not successful
• Haringey Chief Executive and other stakeholders are aware of the new front counter facility and have expressed an interest in when this will be operational.
• If approval for the transfer of front counter facilities is given, the opening of the new facilities will be published through local media and Safer Neighbourhoods teams.

Future of Wood Green police station

15. Wood Green police station was identified in the AMP as the site for a combined custody centre and patrol base. As mentioned above, further consideration is being given to the policing facility that is best for that site and MPS Property Services is in discussions with the Local Authority Planning Department.

16. On the transfer of front counter services external markings that identify the site as a police station will be removed wherever possible. Those markings that cannot be removed will be covered.

17. In making a decision to support the future development of Wood Green police station the MPA should be cognisant that this may provide an opportunity for those not in favour of the wider plans to make themselves heard. However if, on balance, the MPA/MPS can demonstrate that the new facilities are an improvement and people subsequently have a better experience, then this dissatisfaction will be minimised.

Other information

18. A review of other evidence provides further background that is useful context for decision making. The MPS 2009/10 Quarter 1 key performance areas for Haringey show that :

1. 73% of Haringey residents feel local police are doing a good job
2. 77% are satisfied with overall service
3. 89% feel that police treat them with respect
4. 92.7% are satisfied with the visibility of SN teams.

19. Haringey borough has a number of operational policing facilities across the estate outlined in paragraph 7. Appendix 4 identifies locations across the borough where operational policing is delivered.

Environmental issues

The transfer of front counter services to new facilities at Fishmonger’s Arms would have required the input of Property Services, including design and fit out using design standards based on the applicable design guides. As a result of technological enhancements (e.g. lighting controls) the facilities would be expected to be more resource efficient with regard to energy and water consumption etc. Further to this, day to day operational activities involve the use of resources including energy, water and paper, and generate emissions (e.g. carbon dioxide) and waste. The MPS Environmental Strategy 2005-10 seeks to create awareness of these issues and to mitigate impacts through behavioural change among police officers and staff.

C. Race and equality impact

Wood Green police station front counter has limited disabled access. The new facility at Fishmonger’s Arms is easily accessible and complies with Disability Discrimination Act legislation.

D. Financial implications

Funding for a new policing facility on the Wood Green site is identified in the MPS Capital Programme.

E. Legal implications

1. The Asset Management Plan describes a model for future policing service provision and requires engagement on proposals with stakeholders and members of the public. This report describes the community engagement that has already taken place together with future proposals for further engagement.

2. Engagement with key stakeholders and members of the public is in keeping with the duty set out in S96 of the Police Act 1996, which requires arrangements to be made for obtaining the views of the community on policing.

3. The recommendations in this report reflect a move to a more joined up citizen focused approach which will enable the MPS to deliver enhanced policing services to the community it serves, and lead to increased public confidence.

F. Background papers

• Haringey Asset Management Plan
• MPA report 21 January 2010 - Process for agreeing changes to the public facing estate.

Appendices

• Appendix 1 - Wood Green police station current facilities
• Appendix 2 - Fishmonger’s Arms new facilities
• Appendix 3 - Proximity Map
• Appendix 4 - Operational Policing Bases

G. Contact details

Report author(s): Diana Marchant, Territorial Policing, MPS

For more information contact:

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

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