Criminal justice accommodation issues

Report: 17
Date: 9 June 2003
By: Commissioner

Linked to exempt report 25 (exempt reports are not open to the public)

Summary

One of the MPA’s priorities for Londoners is to work, in partnership, to revitalise the Criminal Justice System.

The previous reports listed at the end of this report deal with the current plans to facilitate the co-location of Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) in MPA property to facilitate this priority and to progress national agreements.

The linked Exempt paper outlines the estate issues and the recommended way forward agreed with the CPS in respect of the Phase 1 co-location arrangements, the provision of a centralised Traffic Criminal Justice Unit (CJU) - with CPS - and more extensive use of Colindale and Edmonton Police Stations by the CPS.

A. Recommendation

That members agree the recommendations set out in the linked exempt report.

B. Supporting information

1. Members will be aware of previous reports on the over-arching concept of co-locating CPS staff at the point of charge within MPA buildings (normally custody locations).

2. Growth of officer and civil staff numbers is placing the MPA estate under enormous strain but the wider Glidewell objectives have been agreed as part of Governmental programmes.

3. Previous reports have identified that some 2,500 sq. m. of the MPA estate could be required to house CPS staff as a consequence of Phase 1 plans.

4. To free up this space involves direct and indirect cost to the MPA in estate terms and there is an identified need to establish funding neutral solutions with the CPS, as no major additional revenue streams are available to the MPA.

5. Following negotiations and discussions with the CPS proposals are submitted in the linked exempt report to address these issues.

C. Equality and diversity implications

Parts of the MPA Estate are of great age and do not facilitate access to the disabled or impaired. The co-location will potentially bring a new range of occupiers into the MPA buildings, which may not be able to cope practically or in legislative terms. The costs will be shared with the CPS in terms of compliance but in some locations may be impractical at reasonable cost. Otherwise, no impacts are foreseen.

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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