Estates update paper

Report: 8
Date: 23 June 2011
By: Director of Resources on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This report provides Members with an update in regard to the estates responsibilities covered by Property Services and the specific issues that have been addressed since the last report.

A. Recommendations

That members

1. note the contents of this report.

B. Supporting information

Introduction

1. At the MPA Finance and Resources Committee on 19 December 2009, it was agreed that Directorate of Resources - Property Services should continue to provide a report on real estate and property related issues on a quarterly basis. The last report was presented to this committee on 24 March 2011.

2. In addition to maintaining the existing MPA estate; undertaking modernisation programmes and providing facilities to meet operational needs through a corporate real estate approach, and addressing environmental issues through the Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy, DoR - Property Services includes a specialist operational support team who provide logistical support at major incidents; crime scene forensic support; crime scene plan drawing and reconstruction; specialist methods of entry/protestor release; covert property management, and emergency planning in support of major incidents.

3. This report provides updates on specific work-streams and key areas of responsibility. Where approvals are required for specific programmes or projects, proposals will be presented separately.

Market Overview

Residential

4. Within the last quarter the number of house sales and values achieved improved slightly when compared against figures for recent months. Contradictory statistics being reported within days of each other makes current market trends difficult to assess. The number of mortgage approvals being granted is increasing slightly which is a positive sign for the market as a whole.

5. The general outlook for house prices in 2011 is that prices will remain broadly level with continuing lower volumes of transactions when compared with recent years. The possibility of a higher rate of inflation towards the end of the year may well deter buyers due to the likely rise in interest rates in 2012.

6. The London residential market continues to perform more strongly than the rest of the country. Results from recent auctions show strong demand for good quality London property.

Commercial Property Market

7. Values continue to grow slowly across all sectors; however, property still remains an appealing investment due to prolonged low interest rates which facilitate high demand for quality investments.

8. The outlook for the commercial property market in 2011 remains tentative due to the continuation of very little speculative development beyond West End and City office schemes.

9. Demand for prime property investments remains high with both the UK and foreign investors active at the present time. Investors are both UK property companies and foreign investors, including sovereign wealth funds.

Corporate Real Estate

10. The CRE programme savings target for 2010/11 was £6.971 million and savings were achieved through a combination of increased utilisation of core, fit for purpose buildings, as well as the exit and sale of underperforming properties.

11. Activity since the last update includes the exit of Wallington Police Station, which is now subject to sale, and the agreed sales of Rainham, Harold Hill and Surbiton Police Stations. Exit plans are well advanced for Farrow House and MPA Finance & Resources Committee will be asked for support to the disposal of this property. Further work on the 2011/12 programme has identified additional disposals which are the subject of a separate paper at this Committee.

Training and Development

12. The new Training and Development Directorate went live at the start of the financial year. As a result, training is now focused on Regional Learning Centres (RLC) which includes Central London, ESB and Hendon. Sovereign Gate, the south-west RLC, is on schedule for practical completion by the end of November 2011. In addition, approval was given by the MPS Governance Board in March 2011 for works to commence at Marlowe House, thus providing the south-east RLC. As a consequence of the new training delivery model, space is being freed up in a number of buildings across the estate and alternative uses are being found to help release other properties for disposal.

Office Accommodation

13. Empress State Building - Completion of the communications installations for the Strategic Co-ordination Centre (SCC) is anticipated in June 2011. The use of the floor in its meeting rooms function commenced in April 2011. Work to floors 22 and 23 are planned for completion at the end of July 2011, with occupation to follow in September 2011. Floors 25 and 26 are due to be operational by the end of July 2011. The re-modelling of floor 21 is due for completion in June 2011. Proposals for enhanced perimeter and building security were submitted for Town Planning Approval in May 2011.

14. New Scotland Yard - Work to floors 6 and 7 for the installation of IDENT1 have been completed, as have the modifications to floors 1 and 2 to accommodate the Directorate of Legal Services. Essential maintenance works to the lifts will commence in July 2011 with electrical resilience works beginning the following month. A planning application has been made in regard to the installation of essential mechanical and electrical works which includes the removal of the former restaurant entrance on Dacre Street, and works to provide suitable extract / ventilation from basement areas.

Custody Centres

15. Waltham Forest - The PSD Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) study has been concluded and the report is under review. The Final Account is yet to be agreed.

16. Croydon - The anticipated reduction in the pre-construction period of approximately 50% was achieved due to the continued use of the IESE procurement route and continuation of the service delivery. The works on site are progressing on target with erection of the steel-frame complete and the delivery of the pre-fabricated structural panels underway. The benefits of off-site production continue to be monitored closely for potential use in future schemes. The April 2012 target date for the facility to be operational remains unchanged.
17. Wandsworth - Occupants have been re-located to alternative sites and de-commissioning work began in April 2011. Construction is due to commence in June 2011 within a 52 week construction period (compared to 65 for the smaller Waltham Forest scheme). As with the Croydon scheme, it is anticipated that there will be significant benefits from the procurement route and pre-fabrication opportunities.

18. Haringey - Following an extensive public consultation, the scheme was submitted for Town Planning Approval in early June 2011. A separate paper will be presented at this Committee in regard to this project.

Combined Patrol Base/Custody Centres

19. Barking and Dagenham - The site was opened for operational use in mid-April 2011. The Final Account is yet to be agreed.

20. Heathrow - The site was opened for operational use in mid-April 2011.

Refresh/Refurbishment schemes

21. Jubilee House - Proposals to refurbish the property are underway in order to meet Landlord and Tenant obligations and to enhance its use by a 25% increase in the number of workstations. This is subject to a separate paper which will be presented at this Committee.

22. Extension/Refurbishment Proposals - Proposals to refurbish and extend Brixton, Colindale, Kingston and Walworth Police Stations to enhance the use of the buildings and increase custody capacity are underway. Again the proposals are subject to a separate paper which will be presented at this Committee.

Hendon Programme

23. The first demolition works at Hendon are expected to take place in June 2011 beginning with the Swim Gym. This is the first milestone within major works proposed to provide modernised facilities and to rationalise the size and use of the site, which proposes investment of up to £80m; release of land/buildings in excess of £100m and a reduction in longer term revenue commitments of up to 45%. Following MPA support in December 2010, a paper detailing the implementation plan will be presented to the MPA Estates Panel in June 2011 and the Finance and Resources Committee in July 2011. With stakeholders, PSD are continuing to develop wider proposals for Hendon, which will form the basis for the Master Planning of the site. Procurement of professional advisers for both the master planning of the site and the development of the new-build learning and administration centre is now underway. The MPA/MPS continue to work closely with the London Borough Barnet on this project as part of broader regeneration plans for the Colindale area.

Warehousing/Deployment Facilities

24. The units at Tideway Industrial Estate were successfully vacated on 31 March 2011 at the end of the agreed lease term. Transferring storage/teams to MRD Northolt has resulted in a reduction in property related costs of over £400,000 pa. These were built into the 2011/14 MTFP. Following the vacation of Meridian Industrial Park in December 2010, cumulative savings of £1.1m have been generated under this work strand.

25. A proposed scheme to redevelop the garage at Alperton will be presented separately to the MPA Finance & Resources Committee in June 2011.

Safer Neighbourhoods

26. The SN2 programme was originally tasked to provide bases for approximately 170 SN teams in 124 separate locations. Following an assessment of the entire requirement in 2010 TP PfP, working with PSD, reduced the requirement to the provision of 77 bases and the roll out of further schemes was “paused” by the MPA. All 77 bases were completed by April 2011. The pausing of the programme has resulted in savings in both capital expenditure and planned ongoing revenue expenditure.

27. In support of the planned property disposal programme, searches are underway for replacement public access facilities currently based in police stations. Consideration is also being given to the impact of the SN review and existing SN accommodation requirements regarding appropriate solutions for public access.

Disposals

28. A summary of the outcome of the 2010/11 disposal plan is attached at Exempt Appendix 1. The approved capital receipts budget was £22.30 million and receipts achieved in the financial year totalled £22.503 million.

29. The table shown in Exempt Appendix 2 details a summary of the updated disposal plan for 2011/12. The approved capital receipts budget is £40 million and the MPA are on target to deliver these receipts in support of the capital programme. A separate paper will be presented to the MPA Finance and Resources Committee in June 2011 proposing the addition of a number of properties to the 2011/12 disposal schedule.

30. Of the five properties approved for sale at the MPA Finance and Resources Committee in January 2011, three sales were completed by the financial year end and completion is imminent for the other two. An additional three properties were recommended for sale at the Finance and Resources Committee in April 2011 - all of which were approved, and completion of these sales is expected by the end of June 2011. A further five properties are presently being marketed and sale recommendations will be made to future Finance and Resources Committee meetings.

31. In June 2010, Members approved the disposal of the Authority’s reversionary freehold interest in Grice Court by means of a statutory notice served on the leaseholders. The process has now been finalised and the freehold sale completed on 1 April 2011. The reversion, which had a de minimus value, included a vacant flat and realised £368,500.

Acquisitions

32. There are no acquisitions to report at this Stage. PSD are pursuing a number of co-location and shared service opportunities with a range of public bodies but particularly London Borough Councils. These initiatives are either as a result of proactive work by Property Services or responses to approaches from London Boroughs.

Delivery of Property Services

Staffing

33. Modification to the structure of DoR - Property Services to align with operational needs has progressed with leads now in place for the Construction Department, the Hendon Programme and Corporate Real Estate.

Contracts

34. PSD has been challenged to reduce costs at the Gravesend training facility. A full examination of the way the facility is used has started and areas identified where costs can be reduced or income can be increased.

35. As part of this process PSD has contributed to the Training Requirements paper for Specialist Firearms, Public Order and CBRN which has now been completed by CO and is to be submitted to the Management Board. There are four key recommendations:

• Strategic Oversight - a single person to be accountable for delivery of all training to ensure a ‘corporate approach’ is taken to the use of the facility and trainers with a clear training plan
• Income Generation - formalise agreements as to how charges are made to third party users for the use of the facility and trainers.
• Catering & Accommodation - to continue at no charge
• Visitors Policy - a costing regime for visitors who attend training events.

36. This will set the foundation for a review by PSD to maximise income and minimise cost. An action plan has been set and a senior manager from PSD assigned to drive the project alongside CO. The focus will be to run the facility on a corporate basis with a more rigorous approach to its use.

37. South East London PFI - Service provision is at a very good standard with positive feedback from senior officers. Smaller issues continue to be dealt with by the PFI provider quickly and efficiently.

38. A review of operations and occupancy capacities in the building has identified the following opportunities:

• Reduction in the size of the estate
• The buildings have the capability of accommodating at least 30% more workstations with some modern workplace planning which will also enhance the working environment.
• Operational savings through changes to resourcing arrangements.
• Charging for ‘minor occupancies’ from third party occupiers.

39. These opportunities will demand a change in the way the buildings are used and opportunities to drive the changes through which will achieve a better working environment and cost efficiencies project managed by a senior PSD manager.

40. Facilities Management Contracts - The table shown in Exempt Appendix 4 details the performance statistics for the two Facilities Management Suppliers (FMS) and the Help Desk facility (MPIC). It gives an overview of progress from the first year of the contract through to the current reporting period. Under the MPIC contract Deed of Variation, financial performance deductions associated with KPIs have been removed owing to the supplier consistently achieving threshold and target performance. Associated risk costs have been returned to the MPS under the Deed.

41. Services provided through the FMS service providers are subject to a proposal to renegotiate the scope and service level arrangements within the current contracts through a Deed of Variation. This is detailed in Exempt Appendix 5 along with other contractual matters. These negotiations aim to achieve a percentage saving across the contract by introducing a more flexible mechanism that caters for property disposals under CRE providing incentives to drive operational savings.

42. As part of the furniture contract and in support of the CRE programme a “furniture amnesty” took place in April 2011. This involved removing 60 tonnes of redundant furniture from the MPS estate and recycling where relevant. The six month review paper for the furniture contract submitted to the MPA in March 2011 was well received.

Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy

43. Following a review of internal governance mechanisms for CSR, the Environment and Sustainability Steering Group (ESSG) Terms of Reference and Membership has been updated to extend its scope to enable monitoring and reporting of Responsible Procurement. It is now known as the Environment and Sustainability Board (ESB). In line with this development, the Environmental Management Programme (EMP) has been extended to include Responsible Procurement and is now called the Sustainability Management Plan (SMP). The annual Environment Report approved by the ESB will be incorporated within the annual CSR Report.

44. The MPS’s first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report for 2010/11 is being prepared. This will be presented to the Environment and Sustainability Board (ESB) in July and Management Board in September.

45. A management review of the end of year progress (quarter four) for the 2010/11 Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been carried out, revealing the following key achievements:

• 80% of the environmental targets were achieved
• 14% of the targets were partially achieved (but achievable in longer timescales
• 6% of targets were not achieved during the target year and cannot be completed

This represents an improvement on last year’s performance where:

• 68% of the environmental targets were achieved
• 28% of the targets were partially achieved (but achievable in longer timescales
• 4% of targets were not achieved or carried over

The annual targets for the SMP 2011/12 were approved at the April ESB meeting.

46. In June, the MPS Head of Environment & Sustainability will chair the National Police Estates Group - Environment (NPEG - Environment). A comprehensive set of property-related data including cost, space and environmental performance is currently being collected. This will assist the NPEG with the development of environmental benchmarking for estates. The meeting will focus on a workshop to 'Develop a Shared Vision of Sustainability in UK Policing', a practical toolkit for UK forces in implementing sustainability.

47. There are now more than 80 environment champions across the organisation. The MPS Environmental Efficiency Commendation closed in April and five Awards will be made on the 23 May.

48. One of the MPS’ construction suppliers working on the Wandsworth Custody suites is running a six week work programme for ex-offenders. They have now identified three positions and are in the process of recruiting suitable candidates.

Climate Change Action Plan Programme

49. The Sustainability Management Plan (SMP) 2011/12 has been finalised and includes a carbon reduction target for 2010/13, with elements for carbon efficiency based on:

• Reduction in the size of the estate
• Retrofit of the existing estate
• Carbon efficiency of new buildings
• Employee behaviour (awareness)
• Efficiency of the transport fleet

The carbon management team is focusing on developing a methodology for tracking the progress of retrofit projects to provide both a direct and indirect measure of carbon reduction for quarterly reporting purposes.

50. Following the transition into the new financial year, energy utility account information is being consolidated in order to complete and validate the energy consumption database in readiness for carbon emissions reporting in July, both for CRC and annual reporting.

51. The CRC Action Plan continues to be progressed in line with CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme submission and Annual Reporting timescales. The current focus is on completing and validating the energy consumption database and developing the 'evidence pack' for CRC. Further to the previous update, the carbon footprint, annual report and evidence pack must be submitted by the end of July 2011.

52. Property Services' carbon management team has provided input to the Environment Agency’s second stage consultation process on the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.

Legislative Issues

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill

53. Property Services has instructed external lawyers to report and advise on the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill and its impact on the MPA property estate. MPA/MPS officers are working to ensure all the issues identified are dealt with in a way that facilitates a smooth transition to the new arrangements as cost-effectively as possible.

Residential Estate and Human Rights Legislation

54. The Pinnock case concerns an application to court by Manchester City Council for residential possession of one of its housing units. The case was heard by the Supreme Court on appeal (November 2010) which decided that a public authority must demonstrate the proportionality when asking a court for residential possession. The proportionality test ultimately arises from the requirements of Schedule 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998, which concerns a person’s right to a home.

55. At present the law would appear to require that when a landlord applies to court for a possession order, the court must assess not only if the proper legal proceedings have been followed, but also if that action is proportionate.

56. The Metropolitan Police Authority is considered to be a public authority within the meaning of the Pinnock case judgement.

57. Legal action is being taken on behalf of the Authority to seek possession of two residential units where it is claimed that the police officers’ tenancies have been properly brought to an end and the Authority is entitled to possession. In both cases the officers’ filed defence is based on the judgement in the Pinnock case. The first of the Authority’s cases is not expected to go to court before late autumn of this year and will address the issue in the Pinnock case.

The Localism Bill

58. The Localism Bill is currently being scrutinised in Parliament. A number of amendments have recently been tabled which include proposed changes to Section 70 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (determination of applications for planning permission: general considerations). Section 70 is the guiding piece of legislation for all local authorities when faced with a planning application and details the grounds on which a planning application should be considered.

59. The amendment adds a new consideration to make "any local finance considerations" material to an application, and represents an extension of the 'New Homes Bonus' scheme which sought to allow payments reflecting projected council tax receipts from new dwellings. The intention is to promote the positive benefits of new development and to reflect a presumption in favour of new development - referred to below.

60. This incentivises development and councils which adopt a proactive approach may see increased levels of development delivery. The MPS would need to be mindful of the impact of increased population on policing provision.

61. It is hoped that this proposal will enhance land values and encourage more marginal schemes to be developed. This should enhance receipts from the sale of redundant MPA buildings.

62. A further amendment to the Localism Bill proposes expansion of the role of Neighbourhood Plans - local policy documents drafted by residents and local stakeholders to reflect community issues. The plans could now be set up expressly for ‘promoting the carrying on of trades, professions or other businesses in such an area’, meaning a wider scope of stakeholders will have the ability to influence these local policy documents. This gives the MPS the opportunity to identify local opportunities to promote the Estate Strategy, for example where a specific asset identified for disposal/re-use could be promoted for higher value redevelopment, or the process could be adopted to promote a site for a proposed policing use. This would augment the existing development plan and strengthen the MPS's position in promoting local interests.

63. Representations were submitted on behalf of the MPA/MPS regarding the ‘Community Right to Buy’ draft CLG guidance which forms part of the emerging Localism Bill. Representations requested that policing uses should be exempt from any ability by local interest groups to bid for a 'community asset' when presented to the open market for disposal. The guidelines make clear that any community interest can only be considered if such a proposal was to continue the existing service, for example that of a local pub or convenience shop.

Town Planning Update

The London Plan

64. The Independent Panel Report published on 3 May 2011 sets out recommendations to the Mayor regarding emerging London Plan policies. The Panel are limited to making recommendations to the GLA rather than imposing binding alterations to the emerging plan. This concludes the Examination in Public (EiP) process. The Mayor's detailed response to the panel's recommendations will be made public when the Plan is published, expected July 2011.

65. All of the MPA/MPS representations have been taken on board, with the exception of the S106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) policies. The panel concluded that such additions to the identified list of priorities would dilute priority for the matters already cited in the draft policy.

66. Mindful of the alterations to the S106 process towards a CIL based system of mitigating against the impact of development proposals, it is considered that the MPA/MPS focus on ensuring policing is adequately represented within emerging Borough CIL schedules. This can be augmented at a London-wide level through the emerging Implementation Plan, due for publication in summer 2011. The document will relate to infrastructure required beyond a borough level and provides a useful opportunity to highlight future provision of Pan-London facilities where required.

67. The Mayor has submitted the London Plan to the Secretary of State for consideration. Following this and any direction received from the Secretary of State, the Mayor will adopt the London Plan, taking account of all relevant considerations including the latest Government polices.

Presumption in Favour of Development

68. CLG has written to all Chief Planning Officers stating that the proposals for growth set out in the budget need to inform the decisions that local planning authorities are taking now - through plan production as well as development management. The Minister for Decentralisation issued a Ministerial Statement on the 23 March to emphasise this point and this statement should be regarded as a material planning consideration.

69. The statement sets out that the Government's top priority in reforming the planning system is to promote sustainable economic growth and jobs. The Government's expectation is for the answer to development and growth should be ‘yes’ wherever possible - except where this would compromise the key sustainable development principles set out in national planning policy. The statement also notes that Councils are obliged to take into account development viability and re-assess existing S106 agreements where these impact upon development viability.

70. This could potentially mean that an obligation upon a developer to provide, say policing floor-space, may not be sacrosanct should the council accept scaled-back obligations on the basis of an amended viability assessment. Although it is important to note that development must remain 'sustainable' and as such appropriate contributions would still be expected.

Business Rates

2005 Rating List

71. There have been an additional 31 appeals settled since the last reporting period providing a further £900,000 of savings. 212 appeals have now been successfully settled bringing the total savings from this rating list to £10.65 million. NSY remains an outstanding appeal - of which there are a total of 20. With the exception of NSY it is anticipated that these outstanding appeals will be heard in July 2011, with the NSY appeal to follow in 2012, in line with the 2000 Rating List appeal. The savings realised and the further saving anticipated have been included in the 2011/12 revenue budget.

2010 Rating List

72. Rating consultants Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) have implemented the first phase of the appeal strategy. The 99 appeals due for submission at the last reporting period were submitted by LSH to the Valuation Office in April 2011. It is predicted that these appeals will be heard by December 2012 and as a result it is not yet possible to quantify reductions in rateable values or the savings associated therein.

73. Discussions between LSH and the Valuation Office are underway to bring Heathrow Patrol Base into the 2010 Rating List. The building will be assessed and entered into the list within the next two months. The building’s estimated liability has been included in the 2011/12 revenue forecast

74. LSH have been instructed to review the rateable values at Barking Patrol Base and Leyton Custody Centre. Both properties were recently entered into the 2010 Rating List by the Valuation Office. Joint inspections between LSH and the Valuation Office will take place by July 2011. Appeals will be submitted by LSH if their rateable values are deemed as excessive.

75. LSH are forming a view on potential rate saving appeals being served on Sovereign Gate and Wandsworth Police Station during construction and fit out works. It is not possible to quantify the likely savings at this stage but any savings will be included in the 2011/12 revenue forecast and 2012/13 revenue budget.

76. LSH are accessing likely rate liability savings which could be generated by the demolition programme at Hendon. LSH will inspect the site once demolition commences at the end of May. It is not yet possible at this early stage of the programme to quantify any levels of reduction in rateable value or resultant savings.

Olympics

77. The Olympic accommodation being provided within the MPA Estate is now reaching the final phase with only minor work outstanding.

78. The amendment to the Epping Forest Act of 1878 (via a Legislative Reform Order) which allows the enclosure of the North East London Muster Brief and Deployment Centre (MBDC), is currently being passed through the House of Commons and House of Lords. There have been no further developments in respect of the Judicial Review.

79. There are two further MBDC sites at various stages of development, one of which is anticipated to receive Town Planning Approval during May 2011.

80. Implications on routine activities of the Olympics are being factored into Property Services Planning for Games Time Management and Operation of the Estate. This review includes elements related to both staffing and the deployment of equipment.

Operational Support

81. The months of February to April 2011 have seen a significant increase in the numbers of demonstrations and protests across London. Over 140 took place, including the TUC demonstration on 26 March, where OSG provided extensive support. Attendance was in excess of 500,000 protestors and over 6,000 police officers.

82. OSG's support for the Royal Wedding on 29 April included the deployment of 12,000 crowd control barriers and nearly the entire hostile vehicle mitigation stock. It was estimated that a million people lined the streets of central London to celebrate the Royal Wedding. Method of Entry teams provided further support to the event through Operation Adjutant which targeted the movements of individuals who were planning to disrupt the Royal Wedding.

83. OSG provided further support to operational policing for the visit of the President of the United States between 24-26 May. Forth coming events where OSG will play a supportive role include Trooping the Colour and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, both of which take place in June.

C. Other organisational and community implications

Equality and Diversity Impact

1. Any equality and diversity implications arising from the matters referred to in this report are being assessed as part of the individual project or item and will be reported separately to the Committee at the appropriate time. A separate report is being presented to the Equality and Diversity Sub-committee on 2 June 2011 to update members on how CRE promotes equality and diversity within the Estates Strategy

Consideration of MET Forward

2. The Corporate Real Estate and Delivery of Property Services’ strands are obliged within the intent of Met Forward, in particular demonstrating value for money.
Financial Implications

3. The costs associated with the activities set out above are contained within existing budgets, as approved within the 2011-14 Business Plan.
4. Any financial implications in regard to the items included within this report, will be subject to the normal MPA/MPS approval and planning processes.

Legal Implications

5. This is an information update report, therefore there are no direct legal implications arising.

6. Decisions relating to individual property matters will be required to be made in accordance with the provisions under the relevant statutory provisions, and in accordance with the internal governance procedures set out in the MPA standing orders.

7. The body of this report contains information in relation to the current proposed legislative amendments which will significantly impact on property matters.

8. Legal advice can be obtained from DLS and the external panel firms in relation to individual property transactions or specific property related issues, as and when they arise.

Environmental Implications

9. The report covers a number of themes with potential environmental implications, principally stemming from the ongoing reduction of the MPS estate which intrinsically has sustainability benefits associated. Conversely, environmental controls are considered to manage negatively impacting issues.

10. The disposal of properties generates efficiencies across waste, energy and water sectors arising from a reduction in estate numbers. The resulting densification of outstanding buildings will have further environmental bearing that continue to be managed. Building performance and efficiency is considered as part of the decision process and initiatives such as waste furniture re-use and recycling are employed to reduce waste from the vacated buildings. The continuation of this process into property sales as currently forecasted will confer similar benefits and impacts.

11. Ongoing construction projects to upgrade and replace buildings follow MPS sustainable designs standards, implementing greater efficiencies for a volume of environmental areas including energy, heating and water. Other sustainability processes such as Responsible Procurement are also inferred.

12. Hendon Programme - Refurbishments as well as new developments follow the standards mentioned with resulting waste from construction and demolition being managed according to sustainability plans and guidelines and utilisation of recycled aggregate.

13. The increase in activities associated with the Olympics will accordingly generate an increase in impacts. The adoption of sustainability management plans in line with a ‘BS 8901 compliant’ approach will minimise and manage these impacts.

14. Officer Accommodation - During the Olympics officers will utilise existing unused infrastructure for overnight accommodation (university halls of residence).

15. MBDCs - Waterless toilets and catering contracts with waste reduction and sustainable food commitments will reduce impacts.

16. The CSR strategy continues to enhance sustainability management, expanding scope across the MPS through internal and outward facing policies and procedures.

17. The CCAP programme continues to target carbon reduction with current focus on measuring those associated with the Retrofit projects and a roll out of energy awareness campaigns for employees.

Risk (including Health and Safety) Implications

18. Following the Police Federation submitting various allegations to the HSE concerning MPS non compliance with statutory duty and inadequate management of FMS contractors, a meeting was held with the HSE on the 26 November 2010. Following the meeting a detailed letter of response was forwarded to the HSE by the Head of Compliance on the 26 January 2011. The HSE acknowledged receipt of the correspondence and their formal response was received on the 25 February 2011. The HSE advise that they intend to revisit MPS late August/early September 2011 to review and audit the improvements that have been implemented.

19. The Government has recently confirmed its intention to implement the provision of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 relating to the specific duty of care of detainees within police cells. The commencement date of this section of the Act is anticipated to be implemented in November 2011. A working Group, chaired by the OCU Commander - Criminal Justice, will review the impact of the application of the Act and the specific duty of care of detainees on the custody operation of the MPS; identify areas of vulnerability and respond as necessary; ensure an internal communication strategy is developed and managed effectively and; ensure that the Commissioner and Management Board are regularly updated. The Head of Compliance is a member of this working group and will ensure that the responsibilities of DoR and PSD are appropriately communicated and discharged.

D. Background papers

None

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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