Proposed extension to the Central London Training Centre

Report: 11
Date: 11 December 2007
By: the Assistant Commissioner of Territorial Policing and Director of Strategic Finance on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

MPA approval was given in April 2006 to acquire a Central London training facility to support Territorial Policing (TP) training needs on an interim basis, pending the development of a holistic solution for all Central London training requirements.

A Central London Training Centre (CLTC) was set up in November 2006 for a period of eighteen months in line with approvals given.

Due to other operational priorities, the Central London training requirements of operational business groups has yet to be finalised, until this has been completed a property solution can not be developed.

This report therefore requests authority to extend the existing occupational arrangements at the CLTC until November 2008 to accommodate the ongoing accommodation needs of TP, providing time to finalise operational needs and develop a longer term solution for MPA consideration.

A. Recommendations

That members

1. note the current and ongoing position in regard to Territorial Policing training requirements and the demand for accommodation within the Central London Training Centre;

2. agree the extension of existing occupational arrangements until November 2008, pending a longer term solution;

3. note that funding for the facility until November 2008 can be met from existing Territorial Policing revenue budgets and planned use of an earmarked reserve; and

4. note that a further report will be presented to Investment Board and subsequently the Finance Committee in 2008, regarding future training accommodation proposals which will include those of Territorial Policing and other business groups.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. Due to the pressures on the existing estate and the need to accommodate urgent demand, approval was given by the Finance Committee to the acquisition of a Central London Training Centre (CLTC) in April 2006 to support the short term pressures faced by Territorial Policing specifically in the following areas of training:

• Safer Neighbourhoods
• Operational Emerald - Custody
• Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Power Set 3 development and
• National Strategy for police Information Systems Custody.

2. The Approval extended to the acquisition of a new facility for a period of 19 months based on the budgeting provisions highlighted in Appendix 1.

3. Following approval, a formal procurement process was undertaken and accommodation was secured within Buckingham Palace Road close to Victoria Station. A lease was taken for a 24 month period from November 2006 with provision for the MPA to break the lease in May 2008 (i.e. after 18 months), subject to five months notice. The accommodation provides a total of 17 classrooms and ancillary offices and breakout areas and is configured so that accommodation can be flexed; with demountable partitioning allowing for areas to be used for presentational use etc. The first MPS presentation to the MPA in March 2007 of the TP Borough based Asset Plans took place in this facility.

Current Position

4. Approval to the acquisition of accommodation on a short term basis was intended to address immediate training needs and facilitate time for the MPS to develop requirements for longer term training needs so that a suitable solution could be brought to Investment Board and MPA Finance Committee for support.

5. Other operational pressures and a realignment of estate priorities has not enabled these discussions to progress as had been intended and at this stage no definitive plans have been agreed for future training needs. It is intended to reopen the debate in regard to Central London training accommodation in early 2008 so that plans can be developed and brought to the Investment Board and the MPA for consideration.

6. The facility that was acquired was primarily intended to support TP needs, however, it was envisaged that the facility would be open to other business groups to use to maximise usage. The accommodation has supported many training programmes and events since opening in late 2006. Appendix 2 provides a summary of the core areas of use. There is no formal monitoring of the conferencing facilities within the CLTC, but it is estimated that usage is in the region of 80%.

7. Demand for this accommodation continues. With the introduction of new powers for PCSOs and an increase in recruitment of Volunteers and Metropolitan Special Constables (MSCs), the accommodation continues to be required and advice from the training co-ordinators suggests capacity will be reached in most if not all classrooms over the next few months. Demand does not include the additional training which could be required to support the proposed introduction of Virtual Courts, Integrated Prosecution Teams or other custody training needs, as part of the roll out of the London Criminal Justice System proposals.

Short Term Strategy

8. In the short term consent is sought to extend existing occupational arrangements until November 2008; the end of the leasehold term that has been negotiated. This will enable the MPS to continue to provide training within Central London on a cost effective basis and should provide time for the development of business requirements to enable longer term solutions to be developed.

9. At the current time, the obligation to train and thus accommodation requirements are divided between various business groups. By combining needs a corporate solution can be developed to maximise the use and minimise operational costs.

10. Discussions on this matter have taken place at the MPS Training Board, chaired by HR. Property Services have been invited to attend the next Training Board in January to further discuss options for progressing this issue.

Medium/Longer Term Strategy

11. Once operational needs have been clarified, property solutions can be developed and proposals brought forward for Investment Board and the Finance Committee consideration.

Environmental Implications

12 There are no construction related works attributable to this proposal.

13. The provision of accommodation will continue as far as practicable, to adhere to the Mayor’s five Environmental Strategies concerning air quality, noise, biodiversity, climate and energy in undertaking works.

Abbreviations

CLTC

Central London Training Centre

MPS

Metropolitan Police Service

MPA

Metropolitan Police Authority

MSC

Metropolitan Special Constables

NSPIS

National Strategy for Police Information Systems Custody and Case Preparation

PSD

Property Services Directorate

TP

Territorial Policing

SCD

Serious Crime Directorate

SO

Specialist Operations

C. Race and equality impact

There are no specific issues arising from these proposals, the extension of existing facilities will ensure continued compliance to the provision of suitable accessible accommodation. The proximity to Victoria Station provides easy access to those in and around London travelling to and from this facility, which increases development opportunities for MPS flexible workers and enhances the MPS employer of choice status.

D. Financial implications

Revenue Costs

1. The revenue related costs that will be incurred in retaining the accommodation from the beginning of April to November 2008 are detailed in Appendix 1. This includes one month where budget approval was included in the original business case (due to the training centre opening one month later than planned). TP have confirmed that funding can be met from within existing TP budgets together with funding that currently sits within a specific earmarked reserve.

2. Any future liabilities in regard to further accommodation will be dealt with under a separate paper.

E. Legal/PROCUREMENT IMPLICATIONS

1. There are considered to be no unusual or additional matters to be brought to Members attention in regard to normal property related matters.

2. The terms of the lease negotiated in regard to the accommodation currently occupied enable occupational arrangements to be extended until November 2008.

F. Background papers

Proposal to create a Central London Training Delivery Centre MPA FC 20 April 2006

G. Contact details

Report authors: Alan Croney, Director of Property Services/Diana Marchant, TP Business Manager, MPS

For more information contact:

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

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