MPA/MPS estates strategic plan

Report: 7a
Date: 19 December 2006
By: Deputy Commissioner

Summary

To further the roll out of the estates strategy to exit inefficient and antiquated buildings and the recycling and reinvestment of this value back into the estate, MPA Members’ approval is requested for the Estate Strategic Plan and the associated Consultation and Communication Strategies and Plans developed to support the roll out of this Plan.

A. Recommendation

That

1. the Estate Strategic Plan for the MPA/MPS estate is supported;
2. the outline governance arrangements proposed for the Estate Strategic Plan and the associated Consultation and Communication Strategy and Plan be noted;
3. the Consultation and Communication Strategies and Plans developed in support of the Estate Strategic Plan be approved; and
4. the proposed Estate Strategic Plan and the associated Consultation and Communication Strategies and Plans will be subject to regular review and update under the auspices of the MPS Estate Programme Board and the MPA Estate Oversight Group

B. Supporting information

1. Following the principles of good asset management practice to maximise the use of accommodation and minimise the operational cost of buildings and property, and incorporating the recommendations and conclusions of HMIC inspections, the MPA/MPS Estates Strategy ‘Building Towards the Safest City’, was approved in 2003 and publicly launched in 2004.

2. The strategy for exiting inefficient/antiquated buildings and recycling and reinvesting the value back into the estate has already resulted in significant benefits to the MPA/MPS.

3. To further the rollout of the Estate Strategy and provide suitable visibility to the MPA, an MPS Estates Strategic Plan (ESP) detailed in Appendix 1, and the associated Consultation and Communication Strategy and Plan, detailed in Appendix 2, have been developed. The latter is currently focussed on the roll out of the Territorial Policing Estate Programme; however, subsequent versions of this document will address other areas, as appropriate, as the planning process progresses.

4. Subject to regular review, the ESP sets out the framework within which the estate is managed; the MPS Corporate Priorities in regard to estate matters, and maps out the way forward with the ongoing implementation of the MPA/MPS Estate Strategy and reports on progress to date. Primary responsibility for the development and maintenance of the above-mentioned documents will be exercised by the MPS Estate Programme Board, on behalf of and in consultation with MPS Management Board. However, the Metropolitan Police Authority will exercise its role in governance and oversight in this area by means of the MPA Estate Oversight Group which will also provide an interface between MPA link members and the governance and oversight process as appropriate.

5. The Consultation and Communication Strategies and Plans set out the framework within which the MPS will interact with the MPA and the MPS’s other stakeholders to provide an enhanced level of openness and transparency.

6. Particular emphasis has been placed within the current ESP on providing suitable property for Territorial Policing’s borough-based policing functions as the current building stock constitutes the oldest properties within the MPA estate and these are generally inefficient to run, offer limited use, are unsustainable in funding/environmental terms and provide poor accessibility/compliance. Territorial Policing (TP) Headquarters have lead responsibility for all borough- based functions including Safer Neighbourhoods, Front Counter services, patrolling officers and custody. Accordingly, TP Borough Commanders will lead in the consultation and communication in support of the implementation of the adopted strategies for the MPA/MPS estate, with appropriate support from relevant departments including the Directorate of Resources (Property Services), Department of Public Affairs and other Operational Directorates as required.

7. To ensure that the consultation and communication is effective, each Borough Commander will first liaise with their respective MPA Link Member to ensure agreement to the approach that will be taken and that the influencing factors are openly presented.

8. Territorial Policing Link Commanders and Headquarters Teams will also oversee the consultation and communication process to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to address stakeholder needs in regard to the role out of the ESP; that messages are clear and consistent; that feedback from the consultation process is fed into the various strands of the estates strategy, and that any concerns are addressed in the appropriate manner.

C. Legal implications

There are no specific legal implications relating to this report. The property acquisitions and disposals that are related to the roll out of the ESP will be reported in subsequent Papers in accordance with MPS Regulations.

D. Race and equality impact

1. There are none specific to this particular report. The acquisition redevelopment or refurbishment of properties will enable the provision of modern facilities providing suitable accessibility and compliant working environments.

E. Financial implications

1. The present estate is becoming increasingly non compliant with a wide range of statutory requirements and there is a revenue maintenance backlog of c £160m and a capital investment shortfall of c £50m per annum. Hence the current estate is unsustainable in financial terms given budget situations and pressures.

2. The scale of change is large and will need close monitoring to ensure affordability is delivered. A large part of the capital costs will be funded from the ongoing sale of the residential estate as well as other Capital streams. An outline ‘broad brush’ financial model has been developed for the TP estate which suggests the proposed approaches could be fundable on this basis. Further models will be developed as elements of the ESP come forward for approval. This monitoring tool will ensure both value for money and affordability is at the forefront of minds as projects come forward.

F. Background papers

• MPA/MPS Estates Strategy - Building Towards the Safest City – 2003/2008
• MPA/MPS Planning Strategy – Planning for Future Police Estate Development

G. Contact details

Report author: Mike Boyles, strategy, Modernisation & Performance Directorate, in consultation with Director of Property Services and Assistant Commissioner Territorial Policing, MPS.

For more information contact:

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

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback