Mobile telephony masts on MPA buildings

Report: 13
Date: 20 February 2001
By: Commissioner

Summary

A proposal to generate income by renting out roof spaces on Metropolitan Police Authority buildings for mobile telecommunication masts.

A. Recommendations

The Committee is asked to consider its policy in respect of the siting third generation antennae on properties in the MPA estate.

B. Supporting information

Information

1. With the recent award of third generation (3G) mobile phone licences, and the fact that many of the modern telecommunications masts are small in size, it has become apparent that there is potential for the MPA to generate substantial income by making space available on its buildings for the erection of telecommunications masts. Market interest in MPS buildings has already been evidenced by an approach from one company, who has been contracted to construct a 3G network by one of the licence holders.

Sites

2. Property Services Department has identified a number of sites that may be suitable. These are mostly freehold sites where there would be no high security requirements and thus relatively straightforward access.

3. In due course the number of sites could probably be increased by negotiating with the landlords of leasehold sites, perhaps on a revenue sharing basis.

4. In the urban environment of London it is likely that new installations will be low profile in terms of their visual impact. Options include the sitting of antennae on existing masts, the erection of new masts or a combination of both. Final decisions will depend on negotiations with potential partners and the new 3G technologies.

Mayor's "ban" on mobile telecommunication masts on GLA buildings and health issues

5. At the London Assembly Meeting on 18 October the Mayor replied to a question on the recommendations in the Stewart Report on mobile telecommunications. In the course of his reply the Mayor stated that "Until clear evidence is available relating to the possible health risks posed by mobile masts, I will not permit them on GLA or TfL property, and will ask the other functional bodies to adopt a similar policy". This statement was subsequently relayed by the Chair of the MPA to members of the Chair's Co-ordination and Urgency Committee.

6. Investigation has been carried out as to what authoritative information exists in the public domain regarding the health risks of such masts. The Stewart Report (the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones) had access to an NRBP report on this subject and it concluded that 'the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines.'

C. Financial implications

Allowing the siting of 3G network masts on MPA properties could generate considerable income for the Metropolitan Police Authority. This is detailed in a report in the exempt part of the agenda.

D. Background papers

• Minutes of the meeting of the London Assembly held on 18 October 2000.

E. Contact details

The author of this report is Peter Theodoulou, MPS Director of Procurement and Commercial Services.

For information contact:

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

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