Estates update

Report: 08
Date: 20 January 2005
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.

Former MPA residential property short term let to Housing Associations

2. The dispute with Housing 21 is still being considered by an appointed expert and it is therefore not possible to comment further at this stage. A full report will be made as soon as the Expert’s decision is available.

Bow Street (Police Station and Magistrates Court)

3. Following the last Committee report the Department of Constitutional Affairs (DCA) has requested a review period and with the Greater London Magistrates Courts Association (GLMCA), we have agreed to this. The purchaser has accepted the delay but disposal legals continue to progress in the meantime.

Central London Estate

4. Property Services has moved to Empress State and other moves are well in hand. A report on the concluded transaction is in preparation for early submission to the Committee.

Action under Delegated Powers (Director of Property Services)

5. 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 (particularly in relation to National Security matters).
• A number of day-to-day estate matters have been signed under delegated powers.

Private Funding Initiatives (PFI) Projects

6. Demand levels at Gravesend remain high and are under consideration in relation to budgets. Ongoing contractual discussions around certain outstanding staffing issues are close to resolution.

7. A best value review is currently underway and a report to Committee is expected in Summer 2005. Settlement under delegated powers of the “two tier” workforce and TUPE/staff transfer issue and pay parity issues has been reached although the funding aspect is still to be resolved.

Safer Neighbourhoods

8. Good progress on sites and locations continues. The accelerated plans for roll out of additional bases in 2005/06 will need to be accommodated within the current estate, which will be challenging, whilst new site procurement catches up.

Property Capital Programme

9. As reported in the last update some modest over spend may occur and this has been agreed with the Director of Resources as appropriate and can be handled within overall funding envelopes. Overall projects remain within budget and timescale although some rephasing has been necessary due to delays in regulatory approvals.

Sales

10. Contracts have been exchanged for the sale of the old Lewisham police station (replaced by the new station under PFI) as previously reported.

11. Contracts have been exchanged in respect of the previously approved sale of Maurice Drummond Section House.

12. Disposals under the PFI “business case” are progressing under the delegated powers decided by the Committee and interest from purchasers remains strong.

Performance

13. The Second Quarter Progress against our operational plan has been published and placed in the Members Library and on the MPS Publication Scheme under the Freedom of Information Act.

14. The outsourcing of FM arrangements previously reported to Committee is currently subject to an internal strategic “gateway” review to ensure best value and maximum flexibility going forward given the changes envisaged and approved by the MPA strategic policy “Building Towards the Safest City”. A report will be brought to Committee in the spring of 2005.

15. Custody cluster developments to increase detainee cell capacity across the MPS, to address current operational shortfalls, is ongoing and we are close to agreeing a “template” specifications to allow rapid roll out with the agreement of Territorial Policing. In the meantime, other, more radical, options are under evaluation, but a decision is still some way off for Committee approval.

16. At the last update report, Members raised concerns about the scale and spread of the delivery of catering facilities across the estate. These are services provided by Logistical Services (part of the Resources Directorate). Operational need varies over time and consequently changes around availability will cause concern but these are subject to consultation and day-to-day operational managerial decisions. Should any major provision policy issue arise a report will be made to the Committee.

17. Key Worker Housing: the scheme provided by Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) requires match funding from the MPA. In 2004/05 the provision of non-funded commercial options has also been exploited by Property Services and uptake has been high. We are preparing a value for money report on the options available to enable Members to make an informed decision as to whether the ODPM requirement for the MPA to contribute funds to Government Schemes, as opposed to a much larger non MPA funded private sector approach, is better use of scarce financial resource.

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. Unless otherwise stated no new implications are anticipated; or are already within existing approved budgets (bottom line managed).

E. Background papers

None

F. Legal implications

1. Contract or other documentation in these matters will contain all the usual commercial terms and provisions, and no unduly onerous or unusual terms – except where reported otherwise.

2. Significant risks have been evaluated and considered and steps taken to minimise or manage such risks.

3. All reported matters are considered to be within the powers of the Authority.

4. All/any disposal represents the best consideration that can reasonably be obtained – save where stated otherwise.

G. 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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