MPA - December meeting

77/06
15 December 2006

A meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) will be held in meeting room 1 (ground floor), 10 Dean Farrar Street, London SW1 on Tuesday 19 December 2006 at 10.00 a.m.

The Metropolitan Police Authority has overall responsibility for the police estate in London, managed by the Metropolitan Police Service’s Property Services Department. The estate comprises over 600 operational buildings, used by 48,000 police officers and staff, and is valued at £1.7 billion.

At this meeting MPA members will be asked to approve an updated estate strategic plan and the associated consultation and communication strategies developed to support the roll out of the plan.

Len Duvall, chair of the MPA, said:

“Providing modern, efficient accommodation for Met officers and staff is vital to ensure that we are delivering the best service to Londoners. A backlog of repairs, combined with a high proportion of outdated, historic, but ineffective buildings means that we must move forward urgently and provide suitable facilities for 21st century policing.

“Development of a modern estate has been progressing rapidly in the past year - over 100 bases supporting the Safer Neighbourhoods teams have been opened across London with a further 150 bases opening in the next two years, as well as other front counter facilities.

“As these modern facilities come into operation it is inevitable that some older style police stations may close, but the MPA is absolutely committed to not closing any station until a fully satisfactory front office counter has been opened and full local consultation has taken place. This commitment is evident in the fact that just three stations have closed, with alternative contact points opened, since 2001.

"The Authority insists that full consultation must take place with local communities whenever changes are planned. We recognise that police stations are important landmarks, symbolic of public safety and reassurance, and any proposed changes need to be fully communicated to local people to avoid unnecessary fears.”

The Authority will also consider the 2007/08 budget submission and the draft corporate business plan.

Commissioner Sir Ian Blair will give an update on operational policing issues in London and present a written performance report.

Notes to editors

Please note: the Commissioner’s update will take place as near to 12:00 as possible, discussion permitting.

Further media information

For further information, please contact the MPA press office

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