Estates update paper

Report: 13
Date: 22 September 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 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 23 June 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. While owners of properties in central London have seen the value of their home rise by nearly 10% since July 2010, average values in the wider UK market have fallen by over 1% during the same period. Desire for prime properties in the capital looks set to continue throughout the rest of the year, albeit at a more modest pace.

5. Economic uncertainty is weighing on transaction levels across the UK. Buyer enquiries and vendor instructions remained broadly flat in June, according to the latest RICS survey. The difference between London and the rest of the UK was again highlighted by the price index, which was -22 for the whole of the UK, signalling that prices fell between April and June. A reading of 27 in the capital indicated that prices rose for the same period.

Commercial Property Market

6. The UK base rate remained unchanged in August, which was generally expected in the property market. IPD includes report that the overall position on real estate capital growth figures remain positive; largely thanks to the Offices sector. Both Retail and Industrial sectors recorded further month-on-month declines in rental values.

7. Central London property appears to be gaining from the uncertainty in the global economy, with overseas investors regarding it as a ‘safe haven’ for investment. Transaction volumes for January to June totalled £16.3bn, compared to £15.0bn for the equivalent period in 2010.

8. Uncertainty within the broader economy is discouraging investors to be too adventurous. Indications in Spring 2011 that the London property market was recovering may have been premature. We will continue to monitor the position throughout the Autumn.

Corporate Real Estate Change Programme

9. The Programme, to rationalise the estate, improve the use of existing facilities and exit those properties no longer required for policing needs continues. Occupants of Ponders End Police Station, Old Ilford Police Station and Wallington Police Station have been relocated. Work has concluded at Euston Traffic Garage to support teams formerly based at Cannon Row. Cannot Row (TPHQ) will close in September. A number of teams have relocated to ESB.

10. The 2011 / 12 disposals programme plans to deliver 18 building exits and 19 disposals by March 2012. The Programme is on track with 44% of exits and 65% of disposals. Some projects have slipped against the original 2011/12 plan; PSD are assessing the impact of these and will identify alternative projects as necessary.

11. The team are currently finalising the 2012 / 2013 plan with Business Change leaders. These proposals will be presented to Management Board in the Autumn, prior to submission to the MPA Estates Panel and Finance and Resources Committee.

Training and Development

12. The practical completion (build, M&E and furniture) of Sovereign Gate, the south-west Regional Learning Centre, is scheduled for the end of November 2011. This will be followed by a DoI fit-out for training, which is expected to take six weeks during November and December 2011 and will allow training at Sovereign Gate to commence for the first full week of January 2012.

13. Detailed design at Marlowe House, the south-east Regional Learning Centre, has commenced, with the start on site date scheduled for November 2011. The practical completion (build, M&E, furniture etc) of Marlowe is expected to be April 2012. It will be followed by a DoI fit-out for training and is due to go live in May 2012.

14. Ten Officer Safety Training sites went live in April 2011.

Office Accommodation

15. Empress State Building - The Strategic Co-ordination Centre was completed in June 2011 and is now in use as meeting room facilities in “down-time”. Various exercises undertaken have confirmed that the facilities are suitable for SCC requirements. Works to floors 21, 22 and 23 are now complete. Teams are now occupying space with final moves to be concluded in September. Works to floors 25 and 26 are also complete and will be fully occupied in September.

16. New Scotland Yard - Lift maintenance works are underway and target completion date remains unchanged. Planning consent has been obtained for essential mechanical and electrical works. Commencement of those works was delayed during Operation Kirkin, works will start on site in September. Works to the 18th floor are underway; works to the 19th floor commence in September.

Custody Centres

17. Proposals to undertake detailed designs to extend existing Custody facilities and to refresh office areas at Brixton; Colindale; Kingston and Walworth were approved by the MPA Finance and Resources Committee in June 2011. Detailed design is now underway and proposals will be put forward later in the Autumn.

18. Proposals to develop a 40 cell Custody facility at Wood Green, Haringey were approved by the Finance and Resources Committee in June 2011. The Planning application will be heard by Haringey at Committee on 10 October 2011. Detailed design continues.

19. Croydon Custody works continue on site in accordance with project delivery dates. The topping out of the site will be undertaken on Friday 7 October. The facility will be operational in April 2012.

20. Construction of the Wandsworth Custody facility commenced in June 2011, based on a 52 week construction period. A temporary front counter facility has been provided, PSD will explore opportunities to make this a permanent provision with TP.

Refresh/Refurbishment schemes

21. Proposals to refurbish Jubilee House, LB Wandsworth were approved by the MPA Finance and Resources Committee in June 2011. Detailed design is now underway, works are anticipated to commence in Spring 2012.

22. Further opportunities are being explored in regard to Marlowe House in light of discussions with two tenants. Proposals will be brought to the MPA in due course.

Hendon Programme

23. The Hendon Programme includes both short and longer term strategies to consolidate accommodation provision, enhance utilization levels and reduce current levels of revenue spend. A review of the options that have been developed will be discussed in detail with the MPA Estates Panel before presentation to the Finance & Resources Committee on 17 November 2011.

24. The demolition of the Swim / Gym is nearing completion and buildings 37 / 38 have now been vacated.

Warehousing/Deployment Facilities

25. A proposal to redevelop the existing traffic garage at Alperton for use as a north-west London deployment base was approved by the Finance and Resources Committee in June 2011 detailed design is now underway. Completion of the project will enable the release of two further properties, 931 High Road, Finchley and West Drayton Police Station in 2013.

Safer Neighbourhoods

26. The SN Review was approved by the MPA Full Authority in June 2011. As a consequence, and in light of operational requirements a review of all properties occupied by SN teams is being carried out, with an initial focus on those properties where leases offer an imminent break clauses or lease expiries. Of the first six leases reviewed, BOCU’s have confirmed there is no longer an operational need for three team bases, and appropriate notices have been served. Future opportunities will be reviewed in due course.

27. An early assessment has been carried out of those projects ‘paused’ from the SN2 roll-out to identify those which align with CRE principals, and the TP Development SN review. Five of the previously paused projects will be delivered. Further detail will be provided in the next MPA SN September Update paper.

28. The next stage of the estate review will look at other MPS locations that could accommodate SN teams; the roll-out of the SN1 and SN2 Programme focussed on the estate occupied by Borough based police. The review will explore opportunities to co-locate/share with other Local and Central Government facilities.

Disposals

29. A summary of the present position for 2011/12 disposal plan is attached at Exempt Appendix 1. A paper proposing that four properties be added to the 2011/12 disposal plan was approved by the MPA F&R Committee in June 2011.

30. Of the five properties approved for sale at the MPA F&R Committee in January 2011 the remaining two sales have now completed. A further three sales were approved at April Finance & Resources Committee; two have now exchanged and one is being re-marketed. A further four sales have been approved by the MPA F&R Committee in June and July 2011 and contracts are now agreed with exchange of contracts to soon follow. A further four properties are being marketed and sale recommendations will be made to future MPA F&R Committee meetings.

31. In June 2010, Members approved the disposal of the Authority’s reversionary freehold interest in Abbotts Close by means of a statutory notice served on the leaseholders. The process has now been finalised and the freehold sale completed on 21 June 2011. The reversion had a de minimus value of £3,600.

Acquisitions

32. PSD are pursuing a number of opportunities to provide replacement front counter facilities for older, larger police stations. A number of these replacement facilities will be in London Borough Council buildings, and would enable the MPA to dispose of certain properties where the only function remaining is the front counter. In particular, proposals have been identified for Barking and Orpington in partnership with both Barking and Bromley Councils to provide accommodation for SN teams which could co-habit with public access requirements as necessary.

33. Opportunities are being developed to provide replacement facilities for the existing Vehicle Recovery Examination service facility at Charlton, where the lease is due to expire in 18 months.

Imber Court Sports Club

34. An update on the progress of the arrangements between the MPA and the Sports Club is attached at Exempt Appendix 2.

Forensic Science Service Ltd

35. An update on the progress of the arrangements between the MPA, Forensic Science Service Ltd and the Home Office (Guarantor to the lease) is provided as a separate report to this Committee.
Delivery of Property Services Change Programme

Staffing

36. The departmental restructure continues with leads now in place for the Construction Department, and Corporate Real Estate following the departure of Peter Ross, lead on the Hendon Programme, interim arrangements are in place.

Third Party Contracts

37. PFI Contracts - Operationally the contracts continue to perform well with positive feedback from the local teams. HMIC gave a positive report with respect to the management of the custody centres. Opportunities to improve value for money are dependent upon a number of initiatives.

38. Facilities Management Contracts - The table shown in Exempt Appendix 3 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.

39. MPIC continues to work with the FM suppliers targeting savings through efficiencies; scoping reductions and alternative ways of working; and reviewing resource allocation. 53 initiatives have been identified to date and contract change controls have been issued, which will realise £29.3m by April 2014. A further £9.1m are being progressed through the governance process, working towards the target of £43.2m through the contract life.

40. 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 4 along with other contractual matters. A number of specification changes are taking effect and the communications around these appear to have minimised any marked increase in complaints from building users. Though cleaning routines in general offices has been reduced custody and key areas remain unchanged. Specification reviews are generally in line with other public sector bodies.

41. In July 2011, the first annual Joint Partnership Board for the Furniture and Associated Services Contract was held. The review of Wagstaff’s performance in Year 1 was positive and ‘pipeline’ ideas for efficiency savings in 2011/12 were presented and the next steps agreed. Wagstaff are currently supporting Property Services in a review of Agile Workplace Standards and are a key supplier in the delivery of CRE.

42. Facilities Management Empress State Building - Heads of terms have now been agreed for the termination of the Life Cycle contract by mutual agreement with the landlord. The strategy has been approved by the F&R Committee. The maintenance service provider will change to BBW at 8am on 3 October 2011.

Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy

43. The first quarter meeting of the new MPS Environment and Sustainability Board (ESB) was held in July with representation from all MPS Directorates. Progress against 2011/12 Sustainability Management Plan targets were discussed along with updates on the Corporate Social Responsibility Report, Climate Change Action Plan and the Responsible Procurement initiative CompeteFor. Highlights include:

• FM contracts for office waste are significantly exceeding the 25% waste arising reduction target (46% reduction on baseline 05/06 levels)
• Phase 3 of the waste furniture amnesty is progressing and use of the swap shop for unwanted items across BOCUs has the potential for £46k savings
• £96,000 has been saved by an initiative to recycle vehicle parts
• The MPS Sustainable Design Guidelines have been reviewed and updated with improved process, design and presentation. Awareness and training will be rolled out next quarter which will build on MPS objectives to plan and deliver a sustainable estate in line with the Corporate Real Estate programme.
• The Head of Environment & Sustainability presented to OSCM on progress against the Olympic sustainability objective which was well received by members.

44. A first draft of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report for 2010/11 is being finalised with MPS internal stakeholders. The final draft will be presented and approved by Management Board in September 2011 prior to publication.

45. In June, the MPS Head of Environment & Sustainability chaired the National Police Estates Group - Environment Team meeting. Presentations by the ACPO lead for Sustainable Development and the Chair of the National Police Estates Group were heard on the aspirations for delivering on sustainability within policing. There was broad support from forces to work together to 'Develop a Shared Vision of Sustainability in UK Policing', a practical toolkit for UK forces in implementing sustainability.

46. The MPS has recently been awarded a Green Apple Environment Award under the public sector sustainability and climate change categories, for our work through our Environment and CSR strategies. The MPS competed against more than 500 nominations and will be presented with our award at a ceremony at the House of Commons in November, with allocation of Gold, Silver or Bronze awards on the day.

47. The MPS won the TfL Cycle Challenge 2011, clocking-up over 66,000 miles and saving 30 tonnes of carbon on the daily commute. 330 people signed up to the Challenge being teams from the BBC, Sky, Bank of Scotland and TfL. The first prize, £700 of cycling safety equipment was given away by the Safer Transport command at the Mayor’s sky ride on 4 September. The MPS team entry / promotion and monitoring was co-ordinated by PSD

Climate Change Action Plan Programme

48. Towards the end of July, the Carbon Management team delivered the MPS' first Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme submission to the Environment Agency. Considerable work was required to expand upon existing annual reporting procedures to ensure that reporting was specific to the scope of CRC, and to provide a level of detail, robustness of data and document management fit for auditing purposes. The CRC data submission indicates that the MPS will be subject to a 'carbon tax' of £1.43m payable in April 2012. The MPS may be audited at any time from August onwards.

49. The MPS's carbon footprint for 2010/11 has been assessed and provided for inclusion in the Annual CSR Report 2010/11. Overall carbon emissions (comprising buildings, transport and air travel) of 165,804 tonnes of CO² showed a decrease of 6.4% on the 2005/06 baseline (177,219 tonnes CO²). Initial indications were that the carbon reduction forecast for 2009/10 was on track to meet the 2009/10 10% carbon reduction target against the 2005/06 baseline, with the opportunity this year to assess full benefits realisation (i.e. all projects now having delivered at least one whole year's savings). However, it is evident that the actual carbon emissions had fallen short of the 2009/10 target. There are a number of potential reasons for this, ranging from under performance of retrofit projects to other factors (e.g. increase in energy demand from IT equipment). These are now under investigation.

50. A preliminary review of Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) Phase I projects (FYs 2007/08 to 2009/10) has been undertaken to assess the benefits of the projects delivered. This work will be supported by further in-depth analysis to provide a greater understanding of the factors that affect the delivery of carbon emissions reductions benefits and to identify any lessons learned, opportunities and constraints for future work (CCAP Phase II). It is expected that this will lead to changes in the CCAP programme working practice to ensure that the programme maximises the realisation of benefits. This could include for example greater attention to Monitoring & Verification and emphasis on the Building Management Systems.

51. CCAP retrofit projects for 2011/12 are currently progressing on schedule. A methodology for tracking project progress in terms of carbon reduction delivered was developed and presented at the Environmental & Sustainability Board meeting in July. At present, the programme will deliver a forecast 840 tonnes of CO² emissions reduction characterised largely by the Voltage Regulation Equipment Phase 2 projects, and several large Photovoltaic Array projects, the largest of which (at Gravesend) has already been commissioned.

Legislative Issues

Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill

52. The report prepared by the lawyers identified several issues and anomalies that arose from the Bill. Discussions with the Home Office Bill Team have resolved all matters satisfactorily for the Authority.

Residential Estate and Human Rights Legislation

53. One of the two cases where officers are claiming a defence based on the Pinnock case has been withdrawn and the officer has vacated the Authority’s flat. The remaining case is to be heard in court on 3 November 2011.

The Localism Bill

54. The Localism Bill is still undergoing scrutiny within Parliament, with the penultimate review stage in the House of Lords due to commence in early September. Amendments to the Bill will be finalised towards the end of 2011. The Bill retains general emphasis on promoting a presumption in favour of development which should allow for a smoother run through the planning process when disposing of redundant MPS property - although the MPS will need to account for the impact of increased development activity upon policing.

55. One principal element of the Localism Bill comprises the ‘Community Right to Buy’ proposal. The representations on behalf of the MPA/MPS regarding the Communities and Local Government (CLG) guidance are currently being considered. Exemptions from the list of formally identified community assets are currently being drafted with the CLG due to respond in early September 2011. It is anticipated that police uses will be identified as being exempt, thus ensuring that the MPS are unfettered by any third party intervention when redundant MPS property is placed on the open market.

Town Planning Update

The London Plan

56. The Mayor published the new London Plan on 27 July 2011. This now forms the statutory development plan at a strategic level across London. Both planning applications and emerging Local Planning Policy will need to have regard to the policy contained within.

57. The principal policies relevant to policing are detailed in the following paragraphs.

58. The definition of social infrastructure maintains specific reference to including policing. This means that policing is captured within the policy requirement to ensure the impact of development on social infrastructure provision is mitigated. It provides justification for representations to ensure development accommodates impact upon policing where relevant. The loss of community uses is acceptable where alternative replacement is made, however a caveat asks that former community premises are offered for alternative community use where there is a defined need. This would potentially restrict the MPS’ ability to dispose of buildings that have previously provided a community use.

59. A list of acceptable ‘non-industrial’ uses on identified strategic industrial land includes policing, giving the MPS greater flexibility when determining the location of specific policing facilities. Similarly, provision is made for community facilities as appropriate within defined town centre areas, thus allowing the MPS to promote policing facilities in defined town centre locations, including public-facing facilities.

60. Policy regarding security specifically includes reference to developers consulting the Met Police on major projects to ensure delivery of a safe and secure environment. This affords the MPS the opportunity to engage with developers during the planning application process for major development.

61. The list of S106 priorities was not altered to include policing, despite detailed representation submissions on behalf of the MPS. The reference to Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is amended to note that receipts from CIL contributions will ‘initially’ be used for Crossrail. The policy also makes a commitment to produce additional CIL guidance to ensure the costs incurred in providing the infrastructure supported by the plan can be funded by those with an interest in land benefiting the granting of planning permission. Given the plan supports policing it is recommended that future representations are pursued seeking the use of CIL receipts for funding additional policing facilities where appropriate.

Implementation Plan

62. The GLA have conducted the initial steering group meeting regarding the draft Implementation Plan, which included representation on behalf of the MPS. The aim is to formulate strategic infrastructure requirements for London; it is anticipated that specific policing requirements can be detailed and fed into this process, which will be detailed within the Implementation Plan. Subsequent updates will ensure the document remains relevant. This will highlight the MPS’ infrastructure requirements at a strategic level.

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

63. Further to the ‘presumption in favour of development’ statement released by the Government earlier this year, a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published for consultation in July. The purpose of the document is to consolidate Government guidance, with the final NPPF replacing all the current Planning Policy Guidance and Planning Policy Statements.

64. The Draft NPPF details a positive stance towards development, repeatedly referring to a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’. Whilst the London Plan remains the strategic development plan for London, the NPPF policy, once adopted, will be a material consideration and by reducing red tape, development should be easier to deliver.

65 Whilst much of the document is a simplification of existing policy, there are some important proposed changes, including emphasis on provision of additional dwellings; increasing housing supply; removing the minimum threshold for affordable housing (currently 15 units) to allow for Local Authorities to determine the amount required in individual areas. The national target for delivering housing on Brownfield land (60% of all housing) is also to be scrapped. The document is intended to help ensure that planning decisions reflect genuine national objectives - such as the need to safeguard the natural environment, combat climate change, and to support sustainable local growth - while allowing for local authorities and communities to produce their own plans, reflecting the distinctive needs and priorities of different parts of the country. The ultimate aim is to reduce the legislative and policy burden associated with development.

66. In relation to the delivery of policing infrastructure the following are relevant:

● A key requirement is the need to provide accessible local services that reflect a community’s needs.
● A strategic priority includes a requirement to deliver the provision of security and community infrastructure.
● The planning system should deliver the right community facilities to meet local needs.

These references provide support for the delivery of policing infrastructure requirements across London, which once adopted will feed into regional and local planning policy documents’.

67. Finally, the NPPF focuses upon the role of planning within climate change mitigation and tackling the effects of this, including making the transition to a low carbon economy. It is noted that planning can help secure radical reductions in carbon emissions through the appropriate location and layout of new development, support for energy efficiency improvements to existing buildings and backing the delivery of renewable and low carbon energy, including community-led initiatives. Delivery of future MPS development schemes will need to ensure that these comprise a number of Green credentials.

Business Rates

2005 Rating List

68. No additional appeals have been settled since the last update therefore the number of appeals successfully settled remains at 212 and in turn the total savings from the rating list remains at £10.65m. It is anticipated that the remaining appeals will be concluded by April 2012, with the NSY appeal expected to remain outstanding. It is hoped that the 2000 Rating List Upper Tribunal appeal will be settled in the spring of 2012 with the outstanding 2005 appeal being settled by July 2012. The savings realised and the further saving anticipated has been included in the 2011/12 revenue budget.

2010 Rating List

69. Rating consultants Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) are continuing negotiation work on the first phase of the appeal strategy. Of the 120 appeals submitted, three have been settled generating £340,000 of savings. Three further appeals have been targeted for negotiation over the next three months by the Valuation Office. It is predicted that the remaining appeals will be heard by April 2013 and as such quantifying the reductions in rateable values or the associated savings is not yet possible.

70. A site inspection has been carried out by LSH at Hendon as the first phase of the demolition programme began. The second phase starts at the end of August 2011 and it is anticipated that potential savings of £40,000 will be included in the 2012/13 revenue budget.

71. LSH are evaluating the likely rate liability savings which could be generated by the demolition programme at North West Traffic facility in Wembley. LSH will inspect the site before demolition commences later this year. It is not yet possible at this early stage of the programme to quantify any levels of reduction in rateable value or resultant savings.

72. Additional work currently being undertaken by LSH includes:

• The submission of an appeal for S44a relief for the ongoing refurbishment of the 18th floor at NSY and will be settled in the next few months.
• LSH are forming a view on potential rate savings at Canon Row PS during the marketing and disposal process.

73. For both items it is not possible to quantify the likely savings from successful appeals but any savings will be included in the 2011/12 revenue forecast and 2012/13 revenue budget.

New Government Proposals

74. Business rates from 2013 could be localised under current proposals being made by Central Government. It is proposed that local authorities will be given greater financial freedom which could attract businesses and create employment. The current system raises approximately £19bn, which is pooled by Whitehall and redistributed using grants - a stable but bureaucratic system. The proposed idea will in principle create a less bureaucratic system but the likely impact to the MPA/MPS is unknown at this time.

Olympics

75. The principle accommodation being provided within the MPA Estate has only minor work outstanding which is scheduled for completion in September 2011. Small scale office requirements are being managed within our established accommodation arrangements.

76. The Legislative Reform Order (LRO) required to amend the Epping Forest Act of 1878 and allow the provision of the Wanstead Flats Muster Brief and Deployment Centre (MBDC) passed successfully through both Houses and came into effect on the 1st August 2011. A legal challenge via a Judicial Review was launched at the end of July. The Home Office is leading on the defence of the LRO process supported by the MPS (as is the main beneficiary). No date is yet known for the hearing of the case.

77. Planning consent was received for the second MBDC at Blackheath. The third site is still outstanding with various alternative options being considered.

78. The impact of travel disruption on access to buildings is being assessed and mapped against the MPS Estate, Olympic Venues, travel Hubs and Route Networks in order to establish the impacts on our business activities. Workshops are planned for September as part of the broader Business Continuity arrangements.

Operational Support

79. Demand for Operational Support for the months of May to July 2011 continues to remain high and includes support to a number of large pre-planned events, including the Queen's Birthday Parade and The All England Lawn Tennis Championships.

80. OSG continues to provide temporary search, crime reporting and custody facilities in support of Operation Fallon - a highly successful search operation designed to reduce serious violence, disorder and crime. OSG's contribution to the success of these operations recently resulted in a member of the team receiving an Assistant Commissioner’s Commendation.

81. OSG have been heavily involved in providing support to Operation Kirkin including the provision of residential and operational accommodation, building surveys, boarding-up etc, and the Notting Hill Carnival deploying crowd control barriers, observation posts, temporary feeding centres and crime reporting facilities (among other facilities) at various locations across West London throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend.

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.

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. Any environmental implications are referenced under the section of the report entitled Corporate Social Responsibility. Please see above.

Risk (including Health and Safety) Implications

10. HSE Contact
The HSE have requested a meeting to confirm that MPS have appropriately addressed areas of concern in respect of a Police Federation complaint relating to inadequate statutory inspection procedures. A range of inspection related issues have been subject to a comprehensive review and procedures have been amended to achieve the necessary improvements.

11. The head of compliance PSD has arranged a meeting with HSE on the 5th October 2011 and together with FM will advise of the improvements and look to gain their approval to bring this matter to a conclusion.

12. 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.

Manslaughter Steering Group - Custody

13. 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. [

14. The Corporate Manslaughter legislation applicable to police custody becomes effective from September 2011.

15. Further to DoR attendance at the Corporate Manslaughter Homicide steering group meeting chaired by Commander Steve Bloomfield, the overall action placed upon each directorate is to confirm that respective polices, procedures, SOP's, standards, specifications, training and record keeping are fit for purpose. It was stated that this is an opportunity for all parties to review and refresh items as necessary.

16. PSD have formed a working group chaired by the Director of Resilience, Compliance and Operational Support, last meeting held on the 27th July 11 with a further meeting being scheduled for September 2011. The group will provide the necessary confirmation back to the corporate steering group and identify any required action and recommendations.

17. MPS Olympics
The HSE requested a meeting with MPS Olympic Command members on the 26th July where they outlined their approach in respect of inspection, monitoring and enforcement of MPS related Olympic sites. HSE requested to be provided with a list of MPS premises/temporary locations etc that will be utilised/dedicated to management and control of Olympic operations. Head of Compliance PSD agreed to compile and forward this information onto HSE. Further Olympic related meetings/communications with HSE will be ongoing at their request.

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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