Update on the Safer Neighbourhoods Property Programme

Report: 5
Date: 8 October 2009
By: Director of Resources on behalf of the Commissioner

Summary

This report seeks to inform the Resources Sub-Committee on the Delivery of Property Services’ Safer Neighbourhood Programme.

A. Recommendations

That Members note the progress that has been made to date in the delivery of the Safer Neighbourhood Programme and the future challenges expected in the delivery of the remaining elements.

B. Supporting information

1. The Safer Neighbourhoods Programme seeks to provide Bases for approximately 624 SN teams in 284 separate locations. Following the re-tender of the delivery route in 2007, Stage 2 of the Programme is currently underway. The approvals and governance structure was summarised in the Safer Neighbourhoods’ Update Paper to MPA Finance and Resources Committee in September 2009.

2. Phase 2 works commenced in January 2008 with the new supply chain. As at September 2009, 29 Bases have been completed; 66 bases are under development, and searches are ongoing for the remaining 26 bases.

3. Finding solutions for the remaining locations will be challenging, and the team are now actively considering alternatives to the standard model used for Safer Neighbourhoods bases, usually involving short term leased properties. This may include the possibility of acquiring some properties or taking them on different terms to those ordinarily considered, co-locating with other departments or functions on the borough estate, or leaving certain teams where they are currently accommodated.

4. The difficulties in obtaining properties in certain locations stem from the availability of suitable sites on terms that the MPA / MPS have established as standard for this programme. A number of the locations do not have the type, size or nature of property that is required , available either on terms that the MPA would find acceptable or at a cost which could be supported. In some areas there is simply no suitable property to rent or purchase.

5. The first short term leases that were taken during SN Stage 1 became eligible for renewal in 2006, and there will be an increasing number each year, as in general the MPA entered into 5 year leases or longer leases with an option to break at 5 years. In each case Property Services and TPHQ have carried out an assessment with the BOCU looking at the alternatives to extending the lease prior to making a further commitment. This includes assessing the operational suitability of the location and whether a better alternative is available, any amendment to the current position would require the approval of a revised business case by Safer neighbourhood Steering Group. This will be an ongoing long term position.

6. In a number of locations (including Wood Green and Harrow) full Front Counter facilities have been provided within SN bases, and these are intended to replace current BOCU facilities with staff transferring to the new facility from an existing one. MPA approval has been sought to open a number of these facilities and the process is currently ongoing.

7. Retro-fitting Signage that was not originally included in Stage 1 of the programme has been included in the Stage 2 programmes and has now been substantially completed in 2 packages by our Main Contractor with installation of Simple Signage applied to 51 bases and installation of Complex Signage packages (which includes illuminated signs, display screens and notice boards) applied to 97 bases. The installation of Bike Lockers to those sites delivered under Stage 1 is also underway; the roll-out is in line with TP priorities

8. The SN2 Programme supports the Presence Strand that seeks to enhance visibility by a greater physical presence and greater connectivity between processes and resources, engaging communities to identify issues and keeping them informed in what the MPS are doing. An aspect of this is enhancing our presence at the locations where most people visit. The continued delivery of Safer Neighbourhood sites under phase 2 enhances TP’s ability to do this, enabling patrolling officers to take victims and witnesses to secure locations where Station Police Community Support Officers (SPCSO’s) or other specialist staff can support them whilst the officers return on patrol.

9. The programme team are now compiling data to enable an analysis of the acquisition, procurement and delivery process in terms of time, cost, quality and suitability of completed accommodation and will include these details in the next detailed Safer Neighbourhood Update Report to the Authority in March 2010.

Environmental implications

10.The anticipated environmental implications are tabulated below

C. Race and equality impact

1. Property Services promote equal opportunities, amongst diverse communities and across its supply chain and will undertake procurement in line with the MPA’s Equal Opportunities Policies.

2. Design and related issues take in to account both property related issues and locations (via the local BOCU (TP) established liaison and partnerships in place). Base design issues, in accord with standard PSD approaches to new sites, also address requirements and achievement of best practice design in respect of accessibility and disability matters (access, signage etc.).

3. Operational matters to meet DDA service needs and local requirements are also fully assessed in terms of the TPHQ set operational model and by the local BOCU as part of the overall process.

D. Financial implications

Capital:

1. The revised Safer Neighbourhoods Property Capital budget is shown below.

2. The average delivery cost of a two-ward Safer Neighbourhood base is £435k (without DoI installation costs – covered under a separate budget) and £470k (including all DoI costs).

E. Legal implications

1. This is an information report only.

2. The MPA under the Local Government Act 1972 (“the Act”) has the power to acquire a lease under s123 and the power to do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of any of its functions under s111 of the Act as if it were a “local authority”.

3. Any contracts awarded in respect of works and services are required to be carried out in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2006, and the MPA’s standing orders under Part F.

4. The MPA have access to the SECE Framework Agreement, which allows the MPA to enter into a contract with construction suppliers under the agreement without the need to complete a full tendering exercise, which has the benefit of fixed terms and conditions, particularly with regards to price. Securing suppliers from the framework agreement therefore represents best value, which the MPA is required to demonstrate under s3 of the Local Government Act 1999.

F. Background papers

• Property Procurement Paper – May 2007
• Safer Neighbourhoods Property Procurement Paper – July 2007
• Safer Neighbourhoods Property Procurement Paper – September 2007
• MPA Finance Committee Stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhood Property Programme – Contract award – December 2007
• MPA Finance Committee Stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhood Property Programme – Update – July 2008
• MPA Finance and Resources Committee Stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhood Property Programme – Update – March 2009
• MPA Finance and Resources Committee Stage 2 of the Safer Neighbourhood Property Programme – Update – September 2009

G. Contact details

Report author: Peter Ross, Programme Delivery Director, Property Services (contact number: 020 7161 2362)

For more information contact:

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

Abbreviations

BOCU

Borough Operational Command Unit

DDA

Disability Discrimination Act(s)

MPA

Metropolitan Police Authority

MPS

Metropolitan Police Service

PSD

Property Services Department

SN

Safer Neighbourhood

SPCSO

Station Police Community Support Officer

TP

Territorial Police

TPHQ

Territorial Police Headquarters

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