012/2015: Co-location and partnership working opportunity with Selby District Council, Selby. – 30 September 2015

Executive Summary and Recommendation:

The Commissioner is asked to take a decision to approve the co-location of North Yorkshire Police (NYP) with Selby District Council (SDC) at the Doncaster Road, Selby location and the subsequent disposal of the current Selby police station.

 The information within this paper demonstrates an opportunity to work closely with the Selby District Council and other partners from a collocated facility in Selby. This will provide up to date premises and reduce the overall running cost of the estate.

 This paper provides the Executive Board with information and costs in respect of a proposal to co-locate officers and staff located at Selby police station, Portholme Road, Selby, at the site currently owned and occupied by SDC (Appendix 1 Current & Proposed site location map). Selby police station is not fully utilised or occupied but maintenance costs are still incurred for the whole building, which does not represent value for money. There is an opportunity to co-locate with a key partner in a central, accessible and well known location in an up to date building. A range of services are provided from this location and this would provide a visible and convenient location for the public. The aim of the proposal will be to ensure that co-location with SDC achieves the best use of estates assets in Selby and provides an operationally efficient location and enables a responsible service to be delivered to the community. This will also support the close partnership and collaboration working between the two organisations and the current strategic direction of the NYP Estate.

This Decision Notice is integral to Phase One of the Estates Strategy, and is a follow up to the Estates Strategy Decision Notice approved by the Commissioner on 17 June 2015 (Decision Notice 007/2015). In the Estate Strategy Decision Notice it was approved that additional Decision Notices for proposals in Phase One not already approved would be brought to the Executive Board for approval.

NYP has an Estates Strategy that seeks to ensure that the Estate is managed as a corporate asset. It ensures that the Estate is proactively managed and maintained, that statutory responsibilities are met and that space is utilised based on requirements for the specific function. This in turn ensures our people have the accommodation they need, that teams are not ‘over accommodated’, supports estates rationalisation and Agile working thus supporting a sustainable NYP.

NYP and the Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) for North Yorkshire require an Estate, which is responsive to both current and future needs, and so will effectively support service delivery and reduce future expenditure. Co-location with other public sector bodies supports the organisational work stream around Partnerships and Collaboration and the joining up of public sector organisations to secure savings/efficiencies through collaboration. This in turn supports the government’s drive towards better managed public sector assets. Co-location means that property space utilisation is maximised and therefore the estate rationalised and the resulting savings invested in delivering front line services. This proposal will deliver savings for both NYP and SDC in respect of the cost of utilities, management and on-going maintenance.

SDC have identified available accommodation within their premises which would meet NYP’s needs for Selby police station. The proposal is for NYP to enter into a contractual agreement with SDC to lease the NYP occupied space at the new location for a long term lease, under a Heads of Terms agreement to be subsequently approved once drawn up by the organisations legal teams (Appendix 2 building plan).

The proposal is also consistent with the core co-location and collaboration ethos of the Estates Strategy.   It will meet functional needs and will provide benefits to both NYP and SDC through enabling closer working. The current costs of running Selby against the estimated costs of running the new facility are estimated to produce a total saving of £3,615,000 over a 30 year lease term.

The co-location costs associated with this proposal are included in part 2 of this Decision Notice which is restricted due to being deemed commercially sensitive and for the information of the Commissioner.

It is recommended that:

• The Commissioner makes a decision to allow the co-location of Selby Police Station with SDC functions to take place;
• That this in turn would be subject to appropriate staff consultation and engagement;
• That approval is given to enter into a contractual lease agreement for a long term lease under a joint Heads of Terms agreement (to be developed and agreed);

It is also recommended that the Commissioner gives approval to progress the disposal of the current Selby police station, following the completion and re-location of staff at the new Selby site.

Decision

Police and Crime Commissioner decision: Approved

Signature: 
Date: 30 September 2015
Title: Police and Crime Commissioner

1. Introduction and Background

The Estates Strategy has reviewed, from both an operational and corporate point of view, the needs of the organisation and how NYP can take an alternative approach to make the estate better and more affordable. Selby police station is not fully occupied or utilised and as a result NYP has been actively seeking suitable alternative accommodation. The search for such premises started with an extensive search of all commercial premises and of co-location opportunities with partners in Selby and the nearby surroundings areas. There is one officer from the Safer Selby Integrated Neighbourhood Management Hub already located within Selby DC offices (the Safer Selby Integrated Neighbourhood Management Hub is an agreement between NYP, SDC, North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) and other partners to work together more closely to make Selby a safer place. The aim is that all of the organisations work in a victim-focused, sustainable way, making sure there is an effective response to safety concerns as early as possible, before the issues become more serious.

In November 2014 NYP entered into dialogue with SDC regarding having a shared facility on their premises at SDC. SDC have state of the art office facilities which promote open and agile working, which is also consistent with the ethos of the Estates Strategy. Following meetings and discussions with SDC, drawings, floor layouts and cost options have been developed. It was identified at an early stage that additional capacity was required to meet operational need for locker storage. In order to accommodate the lockers a 110m² single storey extension is proposed.

The existing entire SDC building is 3046.1m2. NYP is seeking to occupy approximately 230m² which will be approximately 8% of the building. The NYP only areas will compromise a briefing room, Voluntary Attendee room, lockers and a temporary Exhibits storage. There will be some shared space which will consist of reception area, toilets, showers and kitchen facilities. In addition NYP will have access to 8 meeting rooms of various sizes and private meeting pods which are available for booking.

This proposal requires a new single storey extension to be built and the existing car parking facilities would need to be extended to meet operational requirements. The car park would extend over existing land owned by the NHS. This is subject to further negotiations following initial discussions.

The car park and extension would be subject to receiving approved planning permission.

There is expected to be annual running cost savings for both organisations. Further detail is provided in the private part 2 of this decision notice, which is restricted due to being deemed commercially sensitive and for the information of the Commissioner.

Benefits

• The proposal will provide NYP with a modern day fit for purpose facility in a central hub which in turn will provide a more efficient service to NYP and the local communities
• Community engagement will be enhanced through the visiting public being able to access both District Council and local policing services within the same building. Selby Police already have a very good working relationship with Selby DC and this move will further enhance the positive outputs from this working relationship and help develop new ways of delivering services
• The proposal demonstrates joint working with SDC and may facilitate further joint working and mutual benefits
• It is anticipated that there will be recurring capital and revenue cost savings for NYP.

2. Other Options Considered

NYP wish to retain a policing presence in Selby. Alternative sites had been explored but available properties which would be suitable were not available at the time of the search. Alternative partnership opportunities with SDC have also been explored but the available premises would not lend themselves to NYPs requirements. This option is considered to be beneficial to all parties.

3. Contribution to Police and Crime Plan Priorities

The recommendations in this Decision Notice are offered on the basis that they will fully support the Police and Crime Plan priorities as follows:

• Transforming the Organisation – Improving Efficiency & Productivity
• Partnerships & Commissioning – Valuable partnership working
• Protecting Vulnerable People
• Prevention and Early Intervention
• Cutting Crime and Anti-social Behaviour
• People First
• Improving Victim Care
• Affordability – Business Planning

4. Implementation and Resourcing Implications

Timescale

It is envisaged that the re-fit element of the new facility would begin in the spring of 2016 and that NYP will begin to occupy the building towards the end of 2016.

Costs

The current costs of running Selby against the estimated costs of running the new facility, over the 30 year proposed lease term and per annum are estimated as follows:

Annual running cost savings:

Total capital & revenue costs over 30 year lease term
Selby current costs	£6,525,000
New joint facility estimated costs	£2,910,000
Total Saving	£3,615,000
Average saving per annum	£120,500

 

The budgeted costs for project are included in part 2 of this decision notice as they are commercially sensitive.

There will be on-going service charges at the new site which are also in part 2 of this decision notice as they are also commercially sensitive. These will be subject to further scrutiny before being finalised in the Heads of Terms agreement.

5. Consultations Carried Out

The below table should include who has been consulted and their feedback. Not all departments will need to be consulted with on every proposal, however, they should all be considered:

Name (Collar Number)	Department	Comments
Will Naylor	Office of the PCC	Yes
Jane Palmer	Financial Services	No
Lisa Winward	Local Policing	No
Lisa Winward	Beyond Local Policing	No
Rosie Holmes	Human Resources	Yes
Jane Wintermeyer	Joint Corporate Legal Services	Yes
Louise Wood	Corporate Communications	No
Jonathan Garrett	Property and Facilities	No
Sudeep Chatterjee	Information and Communications Technology	No
Bob Brigginshaw	Transport	No
Sally Lynch	Joint Corporate Commissioning and Partnership Services	No
Nicola Johnson	Procurement	No
Maria Earles	Organisation and Development	Yes
Sarah Wintringham	Information Management	No

 6. Compliance Checks

Financial Implications/Value for money:
The proposals to relocate the services provided from Selby Police Station, which in total provides 1400m2 of space within the NYP Estate, to a shared facility with Selby District Council needing only 340m2 of space, will deliver significant financial savings for NYP.

Reducing the estates footprint by this amount is expected to generate savings of around £42k per annum in relation to the buildings running costs. In addition to this, while IT network costs are expected to remain similar, further savings of around £80k per annum are expected to be delivered through lower capital maintenance costs as a result of both a newer building and the smaller space being occupied by NYP.

In total the savings of around £120k per annum equate to a savings of around 55% versus the current running costs and therefore provide excellent value for money.

From a Capital Investment perspective, the sale of Selby is expected to generate more funds than the contribution that NYP is expected to need to make to the extension of the building owned by Selby District Council.

All numbers within this Decision Note are indicative, should prove to be on the conservative side and will be firmed up and agreed through formal agreements, should the Commissioner agree to proceed.

Overall the PCC CFO believes the proposals set out within this Decision Note, if fully delivered, will provide excellent value for money and should generate significant savings should the Commissioner wish to proceed.

Legal Implications:
Having read this report and having considered such information as has been provided at the time of being asked to express this view, the Acting Force Solicitor and Head of Legal Services is satisfied that this report does not ask the PCC for North Yorkshire to make a decision which would (or would be likely to) give rise to a contravention of the law.

Any necessary legal work concerning the lease arrangements will be overseen by Joint Corporate Legal Services.

Human Resources Implications:
This decision notice outlines a proposal which will, if implemented have an effect on the workforce currently employed at the Selby site. Full consultation with staff and a continuation of discussions with their representing bodies will be required as plans reach an appropriate stage to ensure that all decisions and their resultant activities are implemented with the appropriate consideration of any staff concerns.

Public Access to information
As a general principle, the Commissioner expects to be able to publish all decisions taken and all matters taken into account when reaching the decision. This Notice will detail all information which the Commissioner will disclose into the public domain. The decision and information will be made available on the Commissioner’s website.

Only where material is properly classified as Restricted under the Government Protective Marking Scheme or if that material falls within the description at 2(2) of The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 will the Commissioner not disclose decisions and/or information provided to enable that decision to be made. In these instances, Part 2 will be used to detail those matters considered to be restricted. Information in Part 2 will not be published.

All decisions taken by the Commissioner will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

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Part two

Is there a Part 2 to this Notice – YES

If Yes, what is the reason for restriction:

The Chief Constable is of the opinion that the information included in part 2 falls under Section 2(2) of The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011.

The information included in Part 2 is properly classified as Restricted due to being commercially sensitive.

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Report Information

• Author(s): Richard Flint
• Head of Department: Richard Flint, Head of Estates, Logistics and Technology
• Executive Group Sponsor(s): Joanna Carter, Chief Executive Officer
• Date created: 19th August 2015

Background documents:

Appendix 1 – Current and proposed site map location – see below

Appendix 2 – Building plan – see below

I confirm that all the above advice has been sought and received against this and any associated Part 2 information and I am satisfied that this is an appropriate request to be submitted for a decision

Signature:   Richard Flint

Date: 19/08/2015

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Background documents:

Appendix 1 – Current and proposed site map location

 

Appendix 2 – Building plan