Front offices' refurbishment project

Report: 13
Date: 10 April 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

The former Policy Review and Standards (PRS) Department held responsibility for policy/operational issues for Front Offices to Police Stations. PRS and Property Services undertook a review of the former standard design for front offices partly in order to meet the legislative requirement to make provision for compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 by October 2004. This resulted in the new ‘corporate’ standard design, a model of which was constructed at Lambeth HQ.

Funding was allocated in the 5-year capital programme for a phased refurbishment programme for a minimum of one compliant front office per borough.

From the first phase of the refurbishment programme it was clear that the allocated funding was inadequate and the timescale to meet the legislative requirement is unachievable.

In order to address these issues Committee approval is requested to a revised programme and to limit compliance with the new ‘corporate’ standard design to those issues directly affected by DDA and security.

A. Recommendations

That the Committee

1. notes that there is a legislative requirement to make provision for compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 by October 2004;
2. approves the following in respect of front offices to police stations:
   • a revised target of two refurbished front offices in operational buildings per borough,
   • other than those stations where accommodation is substantially below standard to limit compliance with the new ‘corporate’ standard design to those issues directly affected by DDA and security,
   • refurbishment into primary prioritised and secondary sites to be completed by the end of 2006 subject to approval for the additional funding necessary for the secondary sites,
3. note that the capital funding proposed in the linked exempt report has been included in a separate report on the realignment of capital allocation programme (land and buildings) (agenda item 12). The revenue implications have been included in the medium term financial plan and this will be reviewed in the light of the latest estimated costs. This is not expected to have a significant impact.

B. Supporting information

1. The former Policy Review and Standards (PRS) department held responsibility for policy/operational issues for front offices to police stations. PRS and Property Services undertook a review of the former standard design for front offices for the following reasons:

• to make provision for compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 by October 2004,
• security issues arising from the civilianisation of front offices.
• management of the residual Computer Aided Despatch (CAD) room functions remaining after the implementation of C3i, i.e. left behind after the vacation of the local control room (this is now under review by the C3i Programme).

2. This resulted in the new corporate standard design, a model of which was constructed and has been viewed by Members, interested groups and senior officers.

3. This new corporate standard introduced various improvements such as:

• features to provide compliance with DDA such as wheelchair access
• improved visibility throughout public areas,
• glass screens to all waiting/counter areas, to enable all areas to be seen when entering the front office and signage easily understood by public reducing stress and anxiety,
• improved security and control for station reception officers (SROs),
• glass screens that ensure all public areas are monitored and secure,
• automatic doors that are under direct control of SROs therefore they control access to all counter areas,
• screens over counters to protect staff from attack.

4. Enhancements which, although not necessarily a requirement of DDA, have been introduced as a corporate response to improve arrangements for customers, include:

• disabled facilities providing counters with lowered worktops,
• improved waiting process for the public with screened waiting areas separate from counters for promoting an easily understood waiting sequence for public and incorporation of ‘ticket’ system at busiest stations to avoid queue jumping and eliminate overcrowding at counters,
• incorporation of new technology with the ability to incorporate flat screen monitors and provision for plasma information screens likely to be a future development as an integral part of layouts,
• new public image of MPS providing a crisp, bright design giving more friendly public image,

5. Funding was initially allocated in the 5 year capital programme for a phased refurbishment programme to complete these works to a minimum of one compliant front office per borough.

6. Compliance with this standard will also be achieved by the PFI police stations.

7. From the first phase of the refurbishment programme it was clear that the previous budget book funding is inadequate and the timescale to meet the legislative requirement is unachievable.

8. In order to address these issues the following is proposed:

1. to set a revised target of two refurbished front offices in operational buildings per borough,
2. other than those stations where accommodation is substantially below standard to limit compliance with the new corporate standard design to those issues directly affected by DDA and security,
3. to prioritise refurbishment into primary and secondary sites to be completed by the end of 2006 subject to approval for the additional funding necessary for the secondary sites,
   d to adjust the capital programme accordingly.

C. Equality and diversity implications

1. The proposals in this report will not impact on any specific communities, groups or sections of the community.

2. The proposals in this report will have no effect on the promotion of racial equality and as a consequence no impact assessment has been undertaken.

D. Financial implications

The financial implications are detailed in the linked exempt report.

E. Background papers

None.

F. Contact details

Report author: Alan Croney, Director of Property Services, MPS.

For more information contact:

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

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