Acquisition of a patrol base for Merton BOCU

Report: 8 Linked to exempt item 12
Date: 19 November 2007
By: the Director of Strategic Finance on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This report proposes the provision of a patrol base for the Borough of Merton through the freehold acquisition of a site in Merton, to provide patrol base facilities for Merton BOCU as part of the roll out of the Estate Strategy.

A. Recommendations

That members are asked to:

1. Approve the freehold acquisition of a site in Merton to house the patrol and response teams; and

2. Approve estimated capital expenditure as specified in the exempt appendix 1 to this report, for contract works and professional fees in connection with the required construction and fit out.

B. Supporting information

1. The strategy supporting the acquisition of a central borough patrol base is set out in the MPA/MPS Estates Strategic Plan the latest version of which was approved by the MPA (Co-Ordination of Policing Committee) on 27 September 2007.

2. Meeting present and projected accommodation needs through the use of commercially available premises forms one of the core drivers of the estates strategy. With the full backing of Territorial Policing the concept of a patrol base has been developed to meet both operational and estate objectives.

3. A patrol base is designed to achieve the following key objectives:

• Improved provision of co-ordinated 24-hour response for the Borough.
• Implementation of the Metropolitan Police policy on leadership and supervision through a single site briefing/debriefing of 24-hour patrols.
• Addressing increased accommodation needs following growth in the policing family, including PCSOs and Special Constables.
• Easing overcrowding of the current estate.

4. A suitable location for a Merton patrol base has been identified at Deer Park Road, Merton and a scheme has been developed following consultation with the Borough. Existing warehouses and sites are in extremely short supply in the required location in Merton. Due to high demand for warehouse/light industrial buildings many developers are competing for any available sites. No suitable alternative buildings are available nearby at the present time.

5. The proposed acquisition will enable Merton BOCU to develop the principle strands of policing namely CID, Response, Leadership, and Safer Neighbourhoods from an effective operational estate across the Borough.

6. MPA approval has previously been given for a major custody extension at Wimbledon Police Station. The site at Wimbledon is limited and is dependent on the provision of a patrol base facility for BOCU. Without the additional space provided at a patrol base the custody extension cannot proceed. Planning permission for the extension at Wimbledon was confirmed by the local authority on 29 September 2007.

7. One existing police building will ultimately be impacted by the provision of a patrol base – Mitcham Police Station. Details appear later in this report.

The proposed site

8. Details of the proposed site are set out in exempt appendix 1 to this report.

9. Local Authority planning permission will be sought for police use and members will be aware that consultation forms an important part of this process.

10. After a period of negotiation formal Heads of Terms have been agreed with the vendors for the MPA to purchase the freehold of the site. The principal terms of the transaction are set out in the exempt appendix.

11. The proposed procurement route for the delivery of this patrol base will, subject to a successful tender process, be through the SECE framework as agreed by the MPA Finance Committee on 20 September 2007.

Local consultation and communication

12. Staff on the borough, Assistant Commissioner Territorial Policing and the Link Commander for the Borough are supportive of the proposal. TPHQ has been involved in the development of the proposals. The Borough Commander has discussed this proposal with the MPA Link Member for the borough–Elizabeth Howlett – who is supportive of the proposal.

13. Overall those consulted have expressed their support for the provision of the patrol base as it presents an opportunity to improve local service delivery, improve conditions for staff and enable the expansion of the custody facility at Wimbledon police station.

14. The next stage of consultation will be undertaken once the way forward on the provision of a patrol base has been approved by the MPA.

15. On completion of the patrol base, and the provision of the dedicated custody facility at Wimbledon , there will be an opportunity to consider the longer-term requirement for Mitcham police station. Subject to the provision of a suitable front counter facility, Mitcham police station will be surplus to requirements.

16. In line with the agreement at the Estate Oversight Group, the timing of the consultation needs to be linked to when changes are going to happen and when plans are developed to an appropriate stage. For Mitcham police station, it is proposed therefore that the consultation on the future of the facility will take place once the alternative options are clearer.

17. The MPS appreciates the need to ensure that the timing allows for comments/views received influencing the process and the decisions made.

Environmental implications

18. The subsequent fit out works to provide suitable BOCU facilities will seek to maximise affordable environmental innovations and will be in line with the published MPA/MPS Environmental Strategy.

19. Property Services will, as far as practicable, adhere to the Mayor’s five Environmental Strategies concerning air quality, noise, biodiversity, climate and energy.

20. The site has previously been used for the storage and distribution of inks and dyes and has suffered from contamination that requires remediation. As part of the transaction the vendor will complete an appropriate remediation scheme to the satisfaction of the Local Authority and Environment Agency prior to completion of the purchase. The site will be remediated to a standard appropriate to its location in an industrial/warehousing estate.

Abbreviations

BOCU - Borough Operational Command Unit
MPA FC - Metropolitan Police Authority Finance Committee
PCSOs - Police Community Support Officers
CID - Criminal Investigation Department
TPHQ -Territorial Policing HQ
MTFP - Medium Term Financial Projection

C. Race and equality impact

1. There are considered to be no equality or diversity implications arising from the issues in this report. The building will be fitted out to meet current regulations including Disability Discrimination Act legislation and will provide operational facilities that are fit for purpose.

2. It has good links to public transport including being a short walk to Morden Road tram stop. There are a number of bus routes on the A24, including a night bus service. South Wimbledon tube station is a few minutes walk away.

D. Financial implications

Costs

1. Details of capital and revenue costs are provided in the Exempt Appendix 1

Funding

2. Capital fit out costs are to be funded from within the existing Capital Programme (patrol bases line). Timing is anticipated for the 2008/09 and 2009/10 financial years.

3. Ongoing revenue costs are reflected in the approved MTFP.

E. Legal Implications

A conditional contract is to be entered into between the MPA and the vendor that will contain standard terms and conditions prevailing in today’s property market. Completion of the contract will be conditional upon the MPA receiving satisfactory planning consent for police use and the vendor completing the agreed demolition works.

E. Background papers

MPA/MPS Estates Strategic Plan – December 2006 as updated September 2007

F. Contact details

Report author: Alan Croney, Director Property Services, MPS

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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