Estate updates

Report: 11
Date: 22 April 2004
By: Commissioner

Summary

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

A. Recommendation

That members note the information on current estate 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. Marketing has apparently failed to produce a suitable bid and a separate report will be placed before members as soon as possible. It had been hoped to bring a report to Members seeking approval to sell at a modest 'under value' in line with new powers available to Local Authorities. Regrettably, offers changed at the last minute, which when combined with valuation complexities for this building, made it impossible to produce a report and recommendation. It may still be possible to proceed but action will need to be via Urgency Procedures or Coordinating and Policing Committee meetings rather than the Finance Committee.

Former MPA residential property short term let to Housing Associations

3. The dispute with Housing 21 about transferring the management of these properties is now being considered by an appointed Expert under the contract and it is hence impossible to comment further. A full report will be made as soon as the Expert’s decision is available.

Co-location with Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

4. Matters involving the estate and the expanded CJU continue to proceed well and within capital and revenue budgets.

Central London Estate

5. Edinburgh House has now been occupied and the open plan layout and adoption of modern design standards has been well received.

6. Frank O’Neill House – will be occupied by the Lambeth Borough Operational Command Unit (BOCU) in June 04 and other non-BOCU units will occupy remaining space.

Action under Delegated Powers (Director of Property Services)

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

• Numerous operational licenses/indemnities and short term/operational matters have been signed under delegated powers.
• A number of day-to-day estate matters have been signed off under delegated powers.
• Two residential properties have been purchased for operational purposes and to provide better flexibility.
• The annual report and forward programme list has been submitted to The Treasurer as required under Financial Regulations.
• The regular report to the MPA detailing single tender action in Property Services has been submitted.

Interim changes to facilities management outsourced contracts

8. The contract changes and the exit of Carillion have gone smoothly and 22 staff have reverse TUPE transferred back to the MPS/MPA. There is a dispute with Carillion on some outstanding matters.

Review of Residential Estate Strategy

9. A draft proposal is currently the subject of internal consultation and when completed the MPS Management Board will consider recommendations to bring forward to the MPA.

Intermediate officer and police staff housing assistance

10. A scheme to provide loans for equity share house purchase to officers and police staff has been agreed at no cost to the MPA. A pilot roll out is planned for April in the MPS area and in Kent. Details will be placed in the Members Library.

11. The government has also announced outline plans for the next generation 'Key Home Buy' scheme, which is based on match funding principles. The details are not yet defined by Government, but the MPS has indicated a willingness to match fund from capital released by the sale of part of the MPA residential estate. The sales are modest in value and would take place as part of normal estate management. By reinvesting proceeds, more officers will benefit than from holding individual units. As the scheme details are not yet defined, the financial impact is not reflected in budgets for 2004/05 or 2005/06. It is intended that additional sales (receipts) will balance the MPA contributions to the scheme. It is anticipated ODPM will match fund on a 2 for 1 basis.

Audit Commission and HMIC Inspections/Reviews

12. Both organisations have reviewed the work of Property Services with satisfactory outcomes. The HMIC report is due for publication shortly.

PFI projects

13. All projects are now live and the inevitable teething problems are being actively managed. There have been operational issues at Gravesend but these are now resolved.

Property Services Operational Plan

14. When the MPA approved the new estates strategy (Building Towards the Safest City) it was acknowledged that it would take some two years to draw up an implementation plan and up to ten years to roll out action. To address the interim period Property Services has published, for consultation, an ‘Interim Operational Plan’ to ensure service priorities are met so far as is possible. Headline details will be reported to Members as soon as the Plan is approved by MPS Management Board.

Safer Neighbourhoods

15. Following the approval of the Mayor’s budget Property Services is now working to deliver the estate aspects of this programme. This extensive programme has released to Property Services vital additional funding (capital and revenue).

16. Management of the property aspects will be carried out by a new team within Property Services. To meet implementation timetables it has been necessary to recruit interim managers and pay for secondees whilst permanent staff are recruited.

17. A separate report is being prepared for Members to deal with approvals for this massive programme on a large number of mainly small sites. Additional delegated powers to achieve on the ground delivery may be recommended.

18. As noted elsewhere there has been an encouraging response from private sector London landowners and occupiers how can see potential benefit from assisting us in delivery on the property front.

C3i building contracts

19. Outturn forecasts remain within the previously reported and approved aggregate figures and practical completion has been achieved on target for two centres and the other is on, or close to, target. In aggregate, all contracts will out-turn close to budget. A full report will be made when practical completion and final account position has been achieved for all three sites.

Estate benchmarking for police estates across England & Wales

20. The MPS has not previously engaged with the ACPO led benchmarking group but recent discussions have proved useful and our intention to join has been agreed. Initially this will be at the top level of data comparison whilst Property Services introduces improved IT to enable us to contribute more detail (as well as have the management information to manage the estate solely from an MPS perspective. Further reports will be made as the data becomes relevant to the MPS.

Launch of ‘Building Towards the Safest City’

21. While certain media ‘headlines’ misinterpreted the strategy, the extensive coverage has brought forward a number of interesting approaches that will undoubtedly assist us in delivering change and growth – with particular reference to ‘Safer Neighbourhoods’ programme.

22. A programme of briefings (fully engaging with MPS Borough Commanders) for London Borough planners and Chief Executives is planned for the future. A summit meeting with other 'blue lamp' London agencies has taken place, which TfL also attended. A plan to extend pan London co-operation has been identified and is being developed. There is clearly potential to lever better outcomes by pooling resources and intelligence. In particular, we are drafting a policy approach to deliver a more coordinated approach to Section 106 planning agreements with an emphasis on London growth areas.

23. The Treasury also requested a short brief on the strategy.

Template for ‘patrol base’

24. Designs for the new flexible patrol base and pilot are progressing and a display board will be available at the meeting for members’ information.

C. Race and Equality impact

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

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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