Estate strategy - 'building towards the safest city' 2003 -2008

Report: 14
Date: 9 June 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

The MPA is responsible for the stewardship of the police estate and Property Services undertakes a wide range of activities on behalf on the Authority to manage the estate. The Metropolitan Police Service's vision is to make London the safest major city in the world and the framework for achieving this is set out in "Towards the Safest City".

In support of this vision, the Director of Property Services, working with Nicholas Long, Lead Member on Estates Issues, MPA, and others has developed a strategy document entitled "Building Towards the Safest City". This addresses the problems faced with an ageing estate and how strategy will be adapted to meet ever changing policing needs for the next five years.

A copy of the document has been provided to each member of the Finance Committee.

A. Recommendation

That members formally adopt the Estate Framework Strategy "Towards the Safest City - 2003 - 2008" and agree its publication.

B. Supporting information

1. The police estate was vested in the MPA at its inception on 3 July 2000. Day to day management of the estate both operational and residential rests with the Director of Property Services. Property is a long-term investment compared to the short-term, complex and ever changing policing needs it seeks to support. Solutions need to incorporate best value for money and existing funding is severely limited. In July 2000, the MPS had 25,400 police officers. By 2006, it is expected there will be 35,000.

2. "Building Towards the Safest City - 2003-2008" confronts these issues and provides an innovative strategy framework to support operational policing needs for the next five years. It also reflects the MPS vision and wider strategy to make London the safest major city in the world.

3. This strategy framework will replace the previous estates strategies and ensure property action is closely aligned to policing priorities.

C. Equality and diversity implications

Equality and diversity implications are acknowledged within the document and these will be addressed within each project and development.

D. Financial implications

The strategy reflects the tight financial framework within which the estate is managed and acknowledges that solutions must be found to the funding dilemma.

E. Background papers

• Estates Strategy – 2001/2

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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