Estate updates

Report: 12
Date: 20 November 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report updates members on the latest information on Estate Property Services matters.

A. Recommendation

That the Committee notes the information on current estates issues.

B. Supporting information

Introduction

1. At the Finance Committee on 24 October 2002 it was agreed that a report on estates issues would be produced at alternate meetings. Source documents can be found in previous relevant reports and also in the Members' Library.

Trenchard House, Soho

2. The marketing of this property has progressed and advertising appeared on 24 May 2003. The bids received are diverse and the second round of bidding should enable a report to be made to this meeting of the Finance Committee.

Former MPA residential property short term let to Housing Associations

3. Discussions continue with Housing 21 to transfer the management of these properties to an alternative Housing Association. We believe that Housing 21 are in breach of their obligations to the MPA and that financial loss may well have resulted. A claim is being quantified and solicitors instructed to advise further.

Co-location with Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

4. As previously reported matters are proceeding well and any variation will be reported if and when it arises.

Central London estate

5. The lease of Edinburgh House has been completed and occupation is anticipated over Christmas / New Year 2003/04.

Action under delegated powers (Director of Property Services)

6. The following significant items have been actioned under delegated powers.

• Numerous operational licenses / indemnities for Notting Hill Carnival, Royalty Protection and short term / operational matters have been signed under delegated powers.
• A number of day to day estate matters have been signed under delegated powers.
• A revised Section 106 agreement for the new Lewisham Police Station, which has dispensed with the MPA's liability and effectively saved £253,000, has been signed.
• Action has been taken to surrender one lease at Tottenham and to take a further lease thereby providing better value and more space for the Tottenham overflow.
• Agreement has been given to single tender procurement of Consult Design and Cost Services and Contractor for the Mobile Telephone Crime Joint Intelligence Unit.
• A short term lease has been taken to house training needs in Central London related to Airwave and C3i along with relocation of PCSO training accommodation. An additional amount of space within the same building has also been taken to accommodate overspill office needs – mainly for Territorial Policing units.
• Property Services has agreed to act as Project Manager for a scheme to provide shared accommodation for Lambeth BOCU. Ownership of the property will be retained by the L B Lambeth.

Pressures on New Scotland Yard

7. Operational imperatives continue to cause problems and “over occupancy”:

Short and medium term plans are in hand to ameliorate this situation including potential new sites in West London and East London which are in negotiation. As soon as a business case is ready for decision it will be reported.

Intermediate officer housing assistance

8. Work is in hand on an arrangement which will provide equity share mortgages at no cost to the MPA. This should further assist with recruitment and retention.

C3i building contracts:

9. Outturn forecasts remain within the previously reported and approved aggregate figures although the apportionment between fees and build costs has changed as a result of value engineering.

C. Equality and diversity implications

Any equality and diversity implications arising from the matters in this report are being assessed as part of the individual project or item and will be reported separately to the Committee at the appropriate time.

D. Financial implications

Any financial implications from the above items will be reported in full to the relevant committees at the appropriate time.

E. Background papers

• Previous update reports and Housing Papers lodged in Members’ Library

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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